The Book Eating Magician Chapter 57:

Zero Library Delicacy #3

“The preparations are finished,” Theo said .

Vince, who was also immersed in reading, looked at Theo . Vince knew how much Theo had concentrated in the past six days, but he couldn’t help exclaiming with admiration .  The book [Battle Song] was famous for its theory and vocabulary which was different from existing magic systems . There were a few phrases which were unclear, attesting to their foreign origin .

‘But taking less than a week to comprehend it… Theo’s comprehension is beyond my expectations!’

The cover of the book had become even more tattered during the last six days .  In a situation where the understanding didn’t reach 100%, calling it ‘complete’ might be offensive . However, it was difficult to understand any more of the book’s contents without the author .

The differences in perception between the author and reader: the noise caused by the gaps between the eras and civilizations; the various interpretations of different expressions; and so forth… When such errors were reduced, Theo’s understanding was at 95% .

Vince already had nothing he could teach Theo about ‘Battle Song . ’ In fact, Theo might have a deeper understanding in some parts . It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that skill in magic was different from comprehension .

For Theo to improve the magic as a 5th Circle magician, it was impossible . If it was that simple, then other magicians would’ve already announced the improved magic .  The current situation was one in which he could only have Gluttony eat the book .

“Hooo… Then I shall start . ” Theo took a deep breath and extended his hand .

This was the third time he would experience something like this .

The first time had been when Gluttony ate Alfred Bellontes’ [Ballistics Magic] and shared Alfred’s experience on the battlefield . The memory of shooting the Magic Bullet was still engraved vividly in his mind .

The second time had been when [Introduction to Elemental Magic] had been eaten and he’d met Myrdal . Myrdal had casually seen through Theo and called Mitra for Theo to make a contract with .

‘What will happen this time?’

The previous two times had been ‘Rare’ books, but the rank of this book was ‘Treasure . ’ It was likely that an unpredictable phenomenon would occur .

“…Eat . ”

–I have been waiting, User!

Theo’s left hand was held open, and the tongue emerged and found its prey . Gluttony paused for a moment like it was enjoying the taste of [Battle Song] before swallowing it .  This was the moment when a book from the Zero Library would be permanently lost .

 

[‘Battle Song’ has been consumed . Your understanding is very high . ]

[The unique magic ‘Battle Song’ has been acquired . ]

[An original book has been consumed . Checking synchro rate with Lee Yoonsung… It is judged to be at a very suitable level . Lee Yoonsung will interact with the user . Lee Yoonsung has accepted the spiritual connection . ]

[Synchro is starting . ]

 

His ears started ringing when he heard the familiar voice of the guide . As he felt the sense of confusion which came with his consciousness being separated forcibly, Theo collapsed silently onto the bed .

Vince’s worried voice echoed as Theo’s consciousness was sucked away .

Theo fell into the infinite abyss of knowledge inside Gluttony .

 

***

Wuuuong…

As Theodore regained consciousness, a refreshing wind blew against his face . It wasn’t a wind which could be felt on the plains . He knew from his past experiences playing in an old mountain valley .

This was a light wind which could be felt near a mountain peak . Theo’s lips moved by themselves as he understood this fact .

“…How is it? Is this a good wind?” It was a voice Theo had never heard before .

Since he had already entered Alfred’s body, Theo quickly accepted the situation . He had been half confident when he lost consciousness while hearing the word ‘synchro . ’ Then the owner of this body must be the magician, Lee Yoonsung, who wrote [Battle Song] .

‘By the way, who was he talking to just now?’

“You, the person who is in my body right now . ”

‘Heok!’ Theodore jolted with a surprised expression as he was spoken to .

Whether he believed it or not, the man was standing and pointing his finger in one direction . Theodore’s gaze followed that finger .  Then in the distance, a wooden building which looked like a large mansion came into his view . Even though he was looking down from a mountain peak, the structure was clearly visible .

“I was born into the Fairy Dance Lee family which protects the Baekun Mountains . If this were in the western countries, it would be similar to being the successor of a family of knights . ”

‘Western countries? Perhaps an Eastern person?’

“Yes, it seems like this wasn’t known after my death . ”

‘An Eastern person!’ Theodore’s consciousness stirred for a moment .

There was a place to the southeast of the Meltor Kingdom and could only be reached by crossing the sea . It was a place where aura was more predominant than magic, so magicians were reborn as independent magicians .

‘How did an Eastern person come to Meltor and create his own magic like Battle Song?’ It was natural for Theo to wonder about that .

“Well, just listen to me,” Lee Yoonsung said with a bitter smile . “I was born with a high status, but the path of my life was never straight . I was born with a body that was unable to use aura . As soon as this fact was revealed to my family, I was removed from the family register and driven to the peaks . ”

Lee Yoonsung’s voice was calm as he looked back through the memories of his life . There was a shabby hut that looked like it was on the verge of collapsing, and images of eating food left by a servant passed through Theodore’s mind . Lee Yoonsung’s memories flowed naturally into Theo due to the influence of synchro .

“That was my destiny, but I couldn’t accept it . ”

Fortunately, Lee Yoonsung had been an intelligent boy . After months of preparation, he had left the hut in the east and decided to turn his eyes toward magic .

At the age of 15, he had left the rugged mountain ranges to enter a magic kingdom . There were a few almost deadly experiences, but he had managed to cross the continent using jewels he’d stole from his family .

After several twists and turns, he had arrived at Meltor .

“Fortunately, I met a good teacher . Thanks to him, I was able to start my research in a magic tower and developed a magic based on the secrets of my family that I remembered from my childhood .  That is the ‘Battle Song . ’ I managed to complete it in 20 years . ”

‘…That’s amazing . ’ Theodore truly admired him .

Not only had he crossed continents at the age of 15, Lee Yoonsung had finished his purpose in an unknown country . Despite having no talent, he had pioneered his own fate .

“But that magic wasn’t perfect . Since it was based on my family, I added in unnecessary things in order to fill that guilt . I will try to teach you the complete version of ‘Battle Song’ before you leave . ” As Lee Yoonsung spoke, he took on a stance .

Simultaneously, the circles on his heart started burning . Akin to a waterwheel, magic power flowed out like streams of water and filled up the body . As the magic flowed in accordance to his heartbeat, the sound of the song, ‘Battle Song,’ resonated in the body shared by the two people . It was a violent flow which was intense enough to cause his shoulders to shake .

“Since we are called the Fairy Dance clan, my family’s martial art is close to a rhythmic dance . I recreated the aura flow through ‘Battle Song’ for me, who wasn’t allowed to use it!” Lee Yoonsung spoke furiously while moving his body .

Then as the uncontrollable passion escaped, his gentle dance changed forms .

Kung! His feet were firm against the ground .

‘A fearsome power…!’

As Lee Yoonsung firmly centered himself on the ground like a tortoise shell, he stretched out his fist . His fist was so powerful that the air exploded from a shock wave .

Peeng!

Lee Yoonsung unfolded his martial arts without any rest, not even caring if his clothes were blown away . Every time he did a dance move, the ground would shake and the air would explode . It was an outburst of violence which he couldn’t imagine as a magician .

Magic born from martial arts, martial arts created with magic…

Theo forgot his admiration and focused as much as possible on Lee Yoonsung knowing he would be a fool to let this once in a lifetime opportunity pass by .  Whether or not Lee Yoonsung was conscious of this, he continued moving without any hesitation .

“Later on, I once returned to my family . I wanted to prove that I wasn’t a worthless person they could ignore . ”

Then he roared like a beast and kicked the air with his right foot .

Kwang!

The wind pressure caused by the kick blew the shabby hut away without a trace . His boiling passion moved the magic power even more, enhancing the power of the martial art .  After a few more times, Lee Yoonsung stopped kicking the air . Despite making a mess around the hut, he wasn’t out of breath at all .

His voice shook like a storm was occurring . “…My father was still alive at that time . His face distorted as he said I sold myself for magic . This was despite the fact that I was better than any other person in the family . ”

Nothing was left as his passion died down, and Lee Yoonsung was eventually murmuring in an empty voice . As his words came to an end, there was a sadness which hadn’t been revealed before . This was the fragment of soul which had been left behind in the [Battle Song] book .

“Then I returned to the Meltor Kingdom and spent the rest of my life there . Perhaps I paid the price of abusing my body during the process of creating this magic . ”

Creating new spells were a challenge, and numerous magicians had died in their attempts . A single failure with Battle Song would tear the muscles and cause the failure of one’s internal organs .  As a consequence, Lee Yoonsung was near death after the magic was completed .

He spoke in a voice which sounded lonelier than ever, “I didn’t know I would get a successor in this way, but I don’t intend to ask you for anything . In the end, I am just a fragment of the foolish Lee Yoonsung . Rather, I would like to thank you . ”

‘Thank me… What does he mean by that?’

“It was a dumb life where I couldn’t leave anything behind . The magic I created wasn’t complete, and my family didn’t acknowledge me . I don’t know how I died, but it wasn’t a satisfying life,” he spoke to no one as he extended his hands into the empty space .

It was a strange posture where his palm was placed over the fist of his other hand . Theo didn’t know it well, but it was the eastern etiquette called a fist and palm salute .  This was Lee Yoonsung’s appreciation for Theodore Miller, who inherited the result of his foolishness .

At that moment, Lee Yoonsung’s world started to collapse .

“I hope this will help you a little bit in your life, Young Man . ”

There was no time to respond to his gracious words as the world collapsed . Then as always, Gluttony’s unkind function expelled Theo’s consciousness .  As the appearance of Lee Yoonsung looking around the Baekun Mountains became distant, Theo’s third synchro experience came to an end .

 

[The synchronization with Lee Yoonsung has ended . ]

[The synchro rate is 92 . 8%, the experience is maintained . ]

[The unique magic ‘Battle Song’ has been restored to its perfect state . Lee Yoonsung’s experience has turned into proficiency for that magic . ]

[The suitability between Lee Yoonsung and the user Theodore Miller is quite high . Depending on the user’s body, some of Lee Yoonsung’s skills and abilities will be handed down . As the user’s physical abilities will increase significantly, a long period of sleep is required . In the meantime, Gluttony will also go to sleep . ]

[At the present time, you will sleep for 30 hours and 12 minutes . ]