The Bookstore Mage

"So, how come you came to me with this?" Lucien asked as he played with the remnant soul in his hand.

Ian scratched his head and replied:

"Well, I was hoping that you would have an explanation for what happened. Besides, I'm sure no one else would believe me," a sigh escaped from his mouth.

Lucien nodded before he spoke:

"Well, to be honest. I'm not sure myself."

"Huh? Even Mr. Lucien doesn't know?"

"Well, it's not like I know everything. And drop the Mr. It just sounds strange. Just call me, Lucien."

Ian subconsciously nodded and agreed. Something that surprised Lucien since he thought the young mage would insist on keeping the formality.

"So, what are your plans for the remnant soul?" He asked.

Ian paused for a second as he thought about it before he answered:

"I think I'll just put it up in the upcoming auction."

"Hmm, how come?" surprised, Lucien asked with a raised brow.

The young mage shrugged his shoulders and replied:

"Well, no one knows what use remnant souls have besides high-ranking mages. So I guess it's best to just trade it for something that can help me increase my level."

His answer surprised Lucien as a frown quickly made its way across his face. No one knew its use except for high-ranking mages. That sounded way too suspicious for his taste.

'I suppose it's safe to assume they know they can create portals with them. So they are keeping that knowledge hidden instead of sharing it?' he inwardly wondered.

There were a lot of reasons why they might choose to hide such information, the first that came across Lucien's mind was the monopoly of the different dimensions.

'With something this big, I doubt the main families don't know. The Council for sure knows that as well, that just leaves the Rogues and independent mages.' He raised his eyes and glanced at Ian who was looking back at him with a puzzled expression.

'There's always the possibility that they don't know the possible use for it, perhaps they know of something else? Though, I doubt it.'

"Is something wrong?" the young mage suddenly asked.

"Ah, no, I was just lost in thought for a second. Say, Ian, if you were already planning on selling this, why not sell it to me?"

"To you? I guess that would make sense - wait! Do you know the real use for it?"

"Who knows," Lucien shrugged his shoulders and replied.

Ian eyes him for a few seconds, seemingly contemplating something before he nodded.

"Alright, I'll trade it with you - but in return, I want your help." The young mage's eyes seemed to shine as he spoke.

Amused, Lucien responded with a smile:

"Oh, and what do you need my help with?"

"I-I can't tell you. Unless we make a mana contract..."

"A mana contract you say," Lucien's eyes hardened at the mention of that.

He knew what a mana contract meant. Even the grimoire had mentioned it before. To put it in simple terms, it was a promise made between two mages with the mana as a witness. The one to break the contract would be abandoned by mana and would lose all magical abilities. To a mage, this was akin to a death sentence.

That was why Lucien hesitated. For Ian to bring up a mana contract, the help he needed did not sound simple at all. Especially considering how last time, he had no problem handing him the spell for safekeeping. For him to ask for a contract...

He glanced at the remnant soul in his hand and wavered. The door to the previous realm was already closed which meant that he needed another remnant soul to open a new one. He could always refuse and look for another one in the dream world, but that came with its own set of risks.

The dream world was the domain of dragons, they might have ignored his presence before. Perhaps they didn't care, but if he continued intruding and snatching the souls, then there was no guarantee that they would stand still.

His finger tapped on the counter as he considered his options. Ian watched on with a nervous expression, but he remained silent. His eyes would occasionally glance at Tamellalt who was standing by the corner before he nervously gulped and lowered his head.

"How about this, we'll make a contract where you'll tell me more details about this help you need. I'll listen and decide whether or not it's acceptable. If it is, then all is good. If not, then I'll promise not to divulge anything you tell me to anyone. It should be okay with the contract binding me, right?"

Ian sighed and nodded. "That is acceptable!"

His heart calmed down as he thanked his lucky stars. What he did was akin to a gamble. There was no guarantee that the mysterious mage in front of him would not simply take his remnant soul and ask him to f*ck off.

He only thought about that after he handed it to him. He was always impulsive after all, but it was too late for regrets, so he steeled himself and asked for the mage's help.

****

Lucien glanced at Tamellalt and dismissed her with a wave.

"Tam, please leave us."

"Yes, my lord."

With the fairy gone, Ian calmed down and brought out a patch of paper where he quickly wrote down the terms of the contract. Lucien watched on with curiosity as this was his first time seeing that.

After he finished, the young mage pushed a small strand of his mana to the paper where it simply disappeared before he handed it to Lucien.

He first read through the contract, and after making sure that there was nothing wrong with it, he pushed a strand of his mana to the paper as well. As soon as that was done, the paper suddenly caught fire and crumbled into ashes.

A strange force suddenly emerged as it surrounded Lucien. The contract was active. He glanced around as he tried to study the change in mana particles around him, only to find none. Still, he was sure that that strange force was present.

"So it's like this. I-I need your help to kill my uncle."

"...what?" When the young, seemingly naive mage asked for his help, Lucien had thought of many possibilities. A hidden dimension, another spell to decrypt - hell, a monster hunt. He certainly did not expect an assassination.