Several days had passed since the end of the tournament. Outstanding performers like Frank had received offers from city nobles, hoping they would serve their families after graduation.
Unfortunately, Frank and the others had no interest in pledging allegiance to nobles. They politely declined, citing their focus on studies. Tyrone and Cici faced similar harassment, and in frustration, the group took refuge in the library.
After all, as winners of the team tournament, they had ten days of unrestricted access to the library's highest-level collections.
The innermost section of the library, usually sealed off, housed the academy's most precious records and magical manuscripts. Now, its doors were open to them.
Naturally, Cici and Eric followed Mentor Maria's advice, delving into the notes and insights left by past lightning mages.
Only Tyrone wandered with a scheming glint in his eyes, searching for what he truly wanted.
He had already mastered the **Beginner** and **Intermediate Scroll Records** he'd previously obtained from the library. Aside from special elements like light, dark, curses, and space—which he couldn't manipulate—he could now flawlessly craft scrolls for all other elements with a **100% success rate**.
But intermediate scrolls no longer satisfied him. His mana reserves had likely reached the level of a **Grand Mage**, so he needed **Advanced Scroll Records**.
*Easier said than found!*
The books here were dusty, stacked haphazardly, untouched for years. Flipping through them one by one made Tyrone's eyes cross.
*Huh? Here it is!* Just as frustration was about to overwhelm him, Tyrone spotted his prize.
**"Advanced Magic Scroll Records"** was tucked at the very bottom of a shelf. If not for sheer luck, he might've spent days searching.
Tyrone crouched down, snatched the book, and glanced around furtively. Making sure no one was watching, he pretended to dust off his shoes—while swiftly slipping the records into his **spatial pouch**.
*Hah! Mission accomplished.*
**"I can't believe someone would dare go this far."**
A crisp voice rang out from above. Tyrone's heart nearly stopped. His first thought: *Kill the witness. Destroy the evidence.* His second: *Had she seen everything?*
But judging by her tone, she definitely had.
Looking up, he met the cold, beautiful face of a girl smirking down at him.
**Aegis?** The **top-ranked warrior** of the Combat Department?
Now that he got a good look, he recognized her—they'd crossed paths once before.
At the moment, the Combat Department's strongest warrior was perched on a ladder beside the bookshelf, a book in hand.
**"Why are you sitting up there?"** Tyrone scratched his cheek awkwardly. *Careless. Completely careless. How did I miss someone right above me?*
**"Reading."** Aegis's teasing gaze made him squirm.
**"Carry on, then!"** Tyrone straightened his posture, brushed off his robes, and marched away with exaggerated dignity—until he was out of her sight.
Aegis watched him leave, shook her head slightly, then returned to her book.
But Tyrone couldn't relax. *What if this warrior beauty has a big mouth? If she blabs about me stealing a book, my reputation's ruined!*
**"Hey."** Just as Aegis refocused on her reading, Tyrone's voice called out from below. She glanced down, silent, her stare heavy with unspoken pressure.
**"So… you saw everything?"** Tyrone asked weakly.
Aegis nodded.
**"You won't tell anyone, right?"**
**"What's in it for me?"** She closed her book and studied him with amusement.
**"Damn, you're the Combat Department's top fighter! Shouldn't you have some honor? Blackmailing people is beneath you!"** Tyrone accused.
**"I meant—what good would it do me to tell anyone?"**
**"None."** Tyrone thought about it. Spreading the rumor wouldn't benefit her at all.
**"Exactly."** She reopened her book.
Tyrone felt a little deflated. If she wasn't going to expose him, there was nothing to worry about.
The library didn't have much else to offer him. The mages' notes on spellcasting techniques, experiences, and original spells? Let Cici and Eric study those. After waving goodbye to his friends scattered in different corners, Tyrone slipped away.
---
Back home, he checked on Tifa's progress. The girl's focus was impressive—she'd already memorized most of the acupoints and meridian paths in just a few days. At this rate, she'd be ready to start cultivating soon.
Without a way to assess her innate talent, practice would have to be the test.
Entering his study, Tyrone pulled out the **Advanced Scroll Records** from his spatial pouch and studied them intently.
Perfect—these were **tier-five and tier-six** scrolls: **Fire Wall, Flame Spider, Ice Storm**, and more. He immersed himself in deciphering the elemental distributions and patterns.
For the next few days, Tyrone skipped the academy. Everyone was holed up in the library anyway, and even Mentor Maria seemed idle.
During this time, he successfully crafted several **tier-five and tier-six scrolls**. But there was one glaring issue—
**He lacked the right materials: magical beast blood!**
For example, to craft a **tier-five fire scroll**, the best medium was blood from a **tier-five or higher fire-attribute beast**—only then could the scroll unleash its full power. But such materials were **outrageously expensive**.
Without the proper ingredients, the scrolls' potency fell far short of his expectations.
*Should I buy some beast blood?*
The idea tempted him—until he visited Faelor City and discovered…
**There was none in stock!**
*Unbelievable!*
**Will Tyrone's scroll-crafting ambitions be thwarted—or will he find another way?**