Distorted World: Rise Of The Black One - Volume 2 Chapter 59 17.2
Two people are seen entering an olden building with excellent architecture
They seem to be taking in the scenery and studying the colossal well of knowledge around them
“As: so this is the building where they houses all the Grimoires”
Asher said looking at the myriads of ancient looking books being displayed around him
The books are opened and seated on lecterns with hieroglyphs, symbols, characters and strange languages written on them and if he looks at them for too long he can feel as if they’re each trying to whisper some to him
“E: don’t look at one too long or they might possess you”
“As: I know I was just reading up on them”
Asher said while trying to use universal analogy on the Grimoires
(Universal analogy: your current level of knowledge is unable to comprehend this task, error…)
This appeared in his head
“E: well just as a refresher allow me to explain”
“As: go on, I am troubling you for this trip after all so might as well appreciate your company while I still have you”
Asher said with his usual monotone
“E: oh come on stop you’re making me blush”
Elise said with a pure and happy expression
(As: I don’t think Elise is faking this, she does have the pure intention of making friends…okay, I should stop testing her for now)
Asher thought reading Elise’s face
“E: well as you know Grimoires are more or less similar to magic weapons in that they are “points” in the world where magicol are especially concentrated only that Grimoires have a much higher degree of magic stored in them that is (in theory) nigh-infinite”
“As: yes continue”
Asher said interested
“E: Grimoires are essentially fragments of a great magician’s soul and life’s-work immortalized as abstract concepts given form through these books”
Elise explained
“E: it’s said that once a magician reaches the threat level of SSS+ or above he or she gains the ability to make Grimoires”
“E: and once a Grimoire is made, a piece of that mage’s soul will be cut out and put into the Grimoire which then will grow it’s own consciousness from that piece, that is why Grimoires are known to choose their own masters like magic weapons do”
“As: I see…I have a question though, from what I heard multiple people can wield the same Grimoire right?”
“E: yes, since Grimoires are living abstracts they can exist at multiple points in time and space and can be wielded by a multitude of people. The more powerful a Grimoire is the more picky it is to it’s master”
“As: huh…”
“E: that’s also the reason while even though we have about 1000000+ Grimoires here only 400 have ever been confirmed to be in use”
Elise said pointing her finger up
“E: well have you found this experience enlightening?”
Elise asked
“As: yes very much so, I’ll keep this in mind once it’s the time for us to choose our Grimoires”
“E: good I’m glad you like it, well what do you wanna do now?”
Elise asked
“As: it’d be a shame to go home now since it’s still early so wanna go to the marketplace?”
Asher said after taking some notes
“E: oh? Suddenly interested in asking me out now?”
Elise said mischievously
“As: what did I say about talking to me like that?”
Asher asked annoyed
“E: I’m joking come on let’s go”
After that Asher and Elise spent a few hours going around the marketplace having fun…
They reach a stall where they sell jewelry and precious stones
“Hey hey, would you like to try our wares we’re having a discount for couples”
A lady spoke to them
“As&E: what!? No, for the last time we are not dating!”
They both screamed tired of all these discounts offers that assumed that they were a couple
“Whoa there! Okay calm down then how about playing our game?”
The lady said pointing to a part of her stall where there’s six of black rocks placed in a line
“E: what’s this?”
Elise asked
“The game is simple in one of these rocks is a precious gem, if you can find the one that has it you can take the gem home for free if you can’t you’ll have to pay, so how about it?”
The woman explained
“E:…should I?”
Elise had a troubled expression
“As: we’ll play” (As: consider this my repayment for your help)
Asher said
“Good can you guess which one it is?”
The woman said
(As: this is kind of cheating but…universal analogy?)
Asher commanded in his mind
After a moment Asher picked the utmost left rock and gave it to Elise
“As: here”
Asher said handing it to her
“E: can I?”
Elise asked troubled
“As: well why do you think I’m giving you this?”
Asher asked another rhetorical question
“E: thanks”
When Elise broke the rock a gem that had a shiny rainbow glow was revealed
“Congratulations! You’ve won the grand prize”
The stall owner said clapping
Elise’s excitement couldn’t be hidden she turned to Asher with a cute expression
“E: thank you Asher I’ll treasure this, this is the first time I’ve received something truly precious from someone”
Elise said smiling
Seeing this Asher had a strange feeling of accomplishment in his chest but he refused to act on it
(As: so she does have the traits of a normal girl after all)
He thought
(As: I gotta say…this is, surprisingly not bad)
Asher commented thinking about how his first time alone with a girl didn’t end in disaster like he anticipated
The gem was made into a necklace that Elise wore
Before they both leave the stall to go home the woman pulled on Elise’s arm and whispered into her ear
“He’s a little emotionally dry but he’s very kind so do try your best”
The happy expression Elise had turned flushed red again
“E: he’s not…sighs…whatever”
(E: way to ruin the moment)
She thought
“As: hey Elise are you coming? It’s getting late, we have a practical lesson tomorrow remember?”
Asher called out from the distance
“E: coming!”
Elise replied