105 FORCED TO FIGHT
The librarian raised an eyebrow. "A trade?"
Leo reached into his pack and retrieved a carefully wrapped scroll. "This is from an expedition to the Eastern Kun Empire. It's rare and valuable, but it doesn't suit me. That tome, on the other hand," he said, gesturing to The Golden Rakshasa, "is exactly what I need. A fair trade."
The clerk's expression darkened. "Sir, we should call security."
The librarian, however, was intrigued. "What are you offering?"
Leo unwrapped the scroll and handed it over. "The Dragon Transformation Sutra."
The librarian's eyes widened as he examined the scroll. "This… appears authentic," he murmured. "Where did you get this? Legitimately?"
Leo shrugged. "Let's just say the Black Market has plenty of good deals. Legitimate? Definitely not."
The librarian hesitated, then nodded. "This sutra rivals The Golden Rakshasa. Very well, I'll accept the trade. But you'll have only one day to study the tome."
"Deal," Leo said firmly.
The clerk scowled. "Does he still need to challenge someone for it?"
"He's offering an exchange, not a free loan," the librarian replied. "But there's a catch."
Leo raised an eyebrow. "What's the catch?"
"You cannot remove the tome from the library. You may only study it here," the librarian explained.
"Fine," Leo agreed without hesitation.
"Give him the tome and a private reading room," the librarian instructed.
With visible reluctance, the clerk fetched the tome and led Leo to a quiet chamber. As the door closed behind him, Leo sat down and opened the ancient book.
His eyes scanned the intricate text, drinking in the secrets of the powerful spell: The Golden Rakshasa Transformation Sutra.
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[Reading Room- Arena Tome of Sodom City Academy of Magic]
Leo had already translated nearly every magical rune and pattern in the Koresh Empire into their equivalents in magic code—a system he used to manipulate the magical realm in ways no one else could.
"Alright, this rune should align with this cluster… and that one, over there," he muttered under his breath, visualizing the intricate patterns in his mind.
The Golden Rakshasa Transformation Sutra was a challenge unlike anything he'd faced before. Translating its spells from ancient parchment to digital magic code was no simple task, and for the first time, Leo felt a twinge of doubt.
"I have to do this on my own. I can't keep relying on Yun-Yun," he reminded himself, pushing his apprehension aside.
This time Leo didn't have Yun-Yun here to guide him.
As he immersed himself in the scroll, each rune transformed into code bit by bit. But the further he delved, the more the spell resisted completion.
"No, this doesn't fit either," he muttered, rearranging sequences on his control panel. Yet no matter how he structured it, the codes remained incoherent.
"Damn it! My knowledge is still insufficient," Leo groaned, clenching his fists.
Hours passed in relentless effort, but the spell refused to align. He could feel the clock ticking down, the weight of the tome's one-day loan pressing on him.
When the clerk finally arrived, his tone was curt. "Your time is up."
"What? Already?" Leo asked in disbelief.
"You've wasted an entire day here," the clerk replied, glaring at him.
With a reluctant sigh, Leo closed the tome and handed it back.
Outside the study room, Petunia was waiting for him. "Did you master the magic?"
Leo shook his head, exhaling heavily. "Not entirely. Some parts are still missing."
"I don't understand. You either learn it or you don't," she said, puzzled.
"Forget it," Leo grumbled, heading toward the exit. "I'm leaving this stupid place."
As they walked out, the clerk muttered, "Told you it would be a waste of time."
Leo glanced back at him, calm despite his frustration. "On the contrary, it wasn't a waste at all."
The clerk scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Ridiculous."
Before they could leave, the librarian approached. "Did you manage to master the spell?"
Before Leo could respond, a sharp voice cut through the room. "It's against the rules. He wasn't supposed to read that tome without completing the trial!"
Leo turned to see Knekis standing with a smug expression.
"Knekis, don't stir up trouble," Petunia said, frowning.
"I'm not causing trouble. I'm upholding the rules. Everyone here must pass the trial to access tomes. Allowing trades sets a terrible precedent," Knekis replied smoothly.
"It was a legitimate exchange," the librarian interjected.
"Trade or not, rules are rules," Knekis argued. "If people can bypass them with trades, using their wealth or influence, where's the fairness? The library should be a place of equality."
Leo's eyes narrowed. "You, of all fucking people, talking about fairness?"
Knekis smirked. "I'm interested in the same tome you took. If you want it, prove you're worthy. Defeat me in the Tome Arena for the right to claim it."
The librarian hesitated, then nodded. "Well, he does make a valid point."
Leo stepped forward, his gaze unwavering. "Fine. If it's a fight you want, then a fight you'll get."
------
The tension in the arena was real.
Knekis had been itching to finish his fight with Leo ever since their encounter at the academy party. That brawl had been cut short by a chaotic food fight, but this time, there would be no interruptions. No flying pies or spilled soup would save either of them now.
Knekis charged forward, summoning his wolverine claws. His tier advantage made his speed and strength nearly ten times that of Leo's—if all things were equal.
"How does a Tier 1 even think he can win against a Tier 2?" one spectator scoffed.
"That's the Gullee Demon? Doesn't seem as scary as the rumors make him out to be," another chimed in.
"Watch, Knekis is going to tear him apart."
The claws sliced through the air, aiming for Leo's chest, but at the last second, Leo sidestepped, dodging the attack by a mere inch.
"What? How can a Tier 1 dodge a Tier 2's attack?" gasped someone in the crowd.
"He must be using demon magic," another murmured, suspicion lacing their voice.