A Reader's Grimoire In A Novel World

Julius came out of the bunker, and the world around him seemed to become more outlined, not completely black and white like usual.

He followed the footprints he saw, running through the fields and then into the castle.

'A person was watching me the entire time. Were they following me and spying on me?' Julius thought, his mind in a state of panic.

He couldn't help but nod as all the worry settled in his mind. He felt as if cold water had been poured on him, becoming calm immediately after his panic.

Soon, the trail stopped close to the trainees' quarters, and Julius stood at the entrance of the wide corridor.

There were doors lined up along the sides of the corridor, each leading to a room belonging to a single person. He gritted his teeth as he began to walk away.

'I can't help but wonder who it was. And they must be pretty strong if they were able to remain out of my detection for so long,' he thought, closing his left eye and walking with the right open.

'I should have practiced a bit with the eye. I don't even know how to make it deactivate,' he thought, letting out a sigh as he made his way to his room.

...

A black-haired girl lay flat on a small bed, looking up at the white ceiling.

She saw another bright light from behind her and realized it was a hand mirror flashing light.

She cleared her throat, picked up the mirror, and looked at it seriously.

"Ivana, what's the update?"

It was the same man who had contacted her the previous day.

"Yeah, I said I'd be able to do it today, but I don't think I can. You'll have to find another person for the job," the girl said to the man across the mirror. Then she groaned as she felt a sharp pain in her neck, where a metal seemed to be stuck, heating up.

"Ah..." She fell to her knees and dropped the mirror.

"Don't forget who raised you, brat. Just do the job and leave the castle," the man said, and then his voice cut off.

The girl silently stood up and picked up a long dagger with a straight, pointed blade.

Once again, she became nonchalant as she sharpened her blade, wondering if she'd get another chance.

...

Julius spent the next few days training with his uncle Berlin whenever he got the chance.

They focused mainly on his sword skills, and they were soon going to move on to essence cultivation.

Julius woke up that morning and headed immediately to a door in his room to take a bath.

It was a large tub made of stone, with a sloped wall allowing a person to lay back and relax.

Various crystals within the water lit the entire tub and made the water warm.

Julius entered the pool and closed his eyes as he relaxed.

'Apparently, Mum has gone off to the front lines where my father is too,' he thought as he looked up at the ceiling.

'My father...'

Karim Veloria Augustine currently held the title of the second strongest person in the entire world. Such a figure... was his father in this life.

'I don't even want to think about it too much. He'll be back in two years when the academy selection begins. And then, that event.'

Julius gently stood out of the tub, grabbed a brown towel, and wrapped it around his waist.

'Although the royal clan elite event wasn't talked about too much, Sasha did mention it a lot in the novel and how important it was,' he noted.

'The goal of the event is generally to pick the best of the best to go compete for a spot in Midgard Academy,' Julius smiled.

Midgard Academy was a magical island floating at the borders of the ocean, and it was also where the Essence Ascension Tower was located.

'The Essence Ascension Tower makes it much easier to master a specific essence type by going through the trials it gives,' he let out a breath.

Currently, there had been a few changes to his plans due to one major thing.

[Attribute: Thrifter's Incarnation]

[Grade: Celestial]

[Under the support of a god connected to fate, you will be talented in a limited number of things you decide to learn (0/3). You will also receive support from fate in life-threatening situations (2/3).]

[Current talents: Swordsmanship, Essence control.]

'I was originally afraid I was going to lose the last one because I played that piano yesterday, but it only applies if it's something I want to learn.'

Julius stepped out of the bathroom and made his way to his wardrobe to select a black combat outfit this time.

...

He made his way down the stairs and walked through the large halls. Then he saw his three brothers coming toward him, and he couldn't help but sigh when they saw him.

He continued on his way faster, leaving the staircase quickly enough for them to pass through without stressing him or annoying them.

"Haha, where do you think you're going?" Cider's voice came from behind him, and he looked back to see a leg coming for his face. He dodged it by just a hair.

A punch then landed on his stomach, and he fell to the floor, coughing as he tried to suck in air.

Julius looked up to see Rowan and Cider walking toward him with wide smiles on their faces as they came closer.

"I heard your useless mum got you awakened. Don't think it gives you the right to walk by us," Cider said with a calm smile, slapping Julius over and over again.

"Don't get cocky. Your mother is a knight who awakened primal essence, but you are even worse than her, not even awakening anything. You're a disgrace," Rowan said and spat on the ground.

As he was about to hit Julius again, he suddenly froze, and even River, who was on his way, couldn't help but stop.

Julius could feel a pressure in the air, and then he looked to see his uncle Berlin walking toward them with a cold expression.

The boys immediately got on their knees, unable to withstand the pressure.

To their shock, Berlin walked past them and helped Julius to his feet.