Chapter 35 Sensing Magic

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Library.

The scorching sun streamed through the stained-glass windows, casting dappled light and shadows across the bookshelves. A petite, adorable silver-haired girl lay sprawled in a hammock, her small feet dangling as she flipped through a book, while the black-haired young man beside her sat cross-legged on the floor, head buried in a volume resting on his lap.

Golden light bathed them both, and even the air seemed filled with a tranquil atmosphere.

Hum!

Suddenly, a low, long, and heavy chime echoed from outside the window.

The bell rang three times in succession, finally rousing Xia Mingyu from his immersion in the book. He lifted his gaze from the page, looking somewhat dazed at the girl in the hammock beside him.

"Your Highness, that is the chime from the castle clock tower, signaling that it is noon," Elise explained softly.

"I didn't realize an entire morning had passed!"

Xia Mingyu glanced at the dozen or so books scattered on the floor. He stood up, knocked on his sore, numb thighs, and gave a vigorous stretch.

"I'm starving..." Only now did he feel the hollowness in his stomach, as if he could eat a whole pig.

Knock, knock.

Just then, the oak doors of the library were tapped lightly.

Who would come to the library at this hour? Could it be Viscount Hughes?

With this doubt in mind, Xia Mingyu walked over and opened the door.

Standing outside were a beautiful young girl carrying a food basket and an old man in a black tailcoat—it was Anlia and Old Sean.

"Your Highness, I made a little something for you to eat. Steward Sean told me you were in the library, so I brought it to you."

Anlia looked at the tall, black-haired young man before her, a flicker of joy crossing her clear blue eyes. As if presenting a treasure, she held the food basket out to Xia Mingyu with both hands.

However, he did not take it immediately; instead, he pondered for a moment before looking at Old Sean.

"Steward Sean, may I allow my maid and attendant to enter the library?" Xia Mingyu asked.

Knowledge was the most precious treasure in the world, and he naturally hoped that Anlia and Berg could read more of the books here.

"In principle, no..." Old Sean paused.

"But if it is for someone as noble as you, I believe even if you emptied the library, my master would laugh heartily and help you move it himself."

Just as Xia Mingyu thought he was about to be refused, Old Sean suddenly changed his tone and bowed respectfully.

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This old man, with one foot already in the grave, was quite humorous.

"Thank Viscount Hughes for me, and tell him I am very much looking forward to the banquet this evening," Xia Mingyu said calmly.

"It would be my honor."

...

"So many books... Truly worthy of a noble's library!"

Anlia covered her mouth, gazing at the layers of bookshelves before her, her delicate face filled with awe. In Fruit Basket Village, there was only one tattered literacy primer belonging to her foster father, Robert, which was shared by the entire village.

"Anlia, you may read any of the books here as you please. However, I suggest you start with *Introduction to Blessings* and *The Encyclopedia of Blessings*."

Xia Mingyu said lightly. To this day, Anlia still lacked a professional blessing above her head. According to her, it was because her foster father, Robert, forbade her from doing farm work, letting her only handle kitchen chores, which prevented her from qualifying as a farmer.

"Thank you, Your Highness."

A flicker of gratitude flashed in the girl's eyes. She placed the food basket on the floor and gently opened it. Instantly, a faint scent of wheat and a rich, meaty aroma wafted out, causing even Elise, on the hammock, to put down her book and look over involuntarily.

Inside the basket were three steaming white loaves of bread and a large chunk of caramel-colored meat, glazed with orange-yellow honey and slightly curled at the edges.

"Your Highness, this is the honeyed venison leg I learned to make from Auntie Mery, the castle's head chef. Please, have a taste."

Anlia said softly, then watched him with expectant eyes.

Xia Mingyu picked up the knife and fork from the basket, cut a piece of the honey-coated meat, picked up a piece of white bread, and alternated between bread and meat.

The next moment, the wheat fragrance of the bread and the sweetness of the honey intertwined in his mouth, and the tenderness of the venison was truly lingering and delicious.

Xia Mingyu’s eyes narrowed involuntarily.

"It's delicious," he said sincerely.

This taste was definitely on par with those Michelin-starred restaurants on Blue Star, though he had never been to one himself...

"I'm glad you like it, Your Highness."

Hearing the praise of the one she held dear, the smile on the girl's pretty face bloomed as brightly as a sunflower in spring.

"By the way, where is that boy, Berg?"

Xia Mingyu asked while gnawing on the bread and venison.

It was already noon; that kid couldn't still be in bed, could he?

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"According to Steward Sean, shortly after you woke up, he went to the castle's training grounds to learn swordsmanship from Sir Thorin," Anlia replied.

Learning swordsmanship... Xia Mingyu recalled that *The Encyclopedia of Blessings* mentioned that the subsequent advanced profession for a hunter seemed to be "Stalker."

Judging strictly by the literal meaning, swordsmanship did not necessarily seem to be a requirement for advancing to a Stalker.

This *Encyclopedia of Blessings* was, in essence, more of a directory, as it only listed the names of the professions and contained absolutely nothing about the conditions for promotion or specific abilities.

"The barriers of knowledge are truly as difficult to overcome as ascending to heaven," Xia Mingyu sighed inwardly. He decided to ask Viscount Hughes about it the next time they met.

The man was a Morning Star-ranked powerhouse and a landed noble; he certainly knew more than he did.

"Elise, would you like to taste some?"

After eating until he was about seventy percent full, he handed the basket, which still contained one white loaf and a fifth of the venison, to the silver-haired girl on the hammock who had been secretly swallowing her saliva.

"Thank you for your generosity, Your Highness!" Elise accepted the basket with delight.

This is clearly food from your own castle; why the need for thanks... Xia Mingyu shrugged, deeply realizing how pleasant it was to have a good status.

"Elise, if I want to become a mage, is the first step to perceive mana?"

After Elise finished enjoying the food, he put down the book *Basics of Magic* and asked.

"Yes, Your Highness. Perceiving mana is indeed the first step to stepping onto the path of magic."

Elise rose from the hammock in a bit of a flurry, stood on the ground, and replied with a respectful bow.

"However..." Elise’s expression was somewhat hesitant.

"Speak freely," Xia Mingyu said lightly.

"Not everyone possesses the talent to perceive mana. In fact, only a very few people have this gift, and it often requires several years of meditation to successfully perceive mana," Elise explained.

Although saying this might offend His Highness, she felt it necessary to make it clear to avoid the Highness wasting his time. After all, she knew of many nobles who had spent years in their childhood meditating to become mages only to gain nothing, wasting their golden years for training.

"I have already learned this from the books; you only need to teach me how to meditate," Xia Mingyu said calmly.

He had flipped through several books on magic, but they were all filled with random history and introductions; as soon as it came to how to actually meditate and perceive mana, there was nothing.

Damn these barriers of knowledge!

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