The Letdown

As for users of the Magic Weapon Summoning Tome, Zheng Yichen first ruled out the older ones. Elderly mages? Forget it. In this world, age did not necessarily mean strength.

Older professionals certainly had more experience than younger ones, but if he gave them contracts with the Magic Weapon Summoning Tome, they probably would not use it much. They would be more likely to study it constantly.

Zheng Yichen needed professionals who would use Magic Weapons regularly, not researchers. Students seemed like a good choice. Even if they were weak now and could provide the tome with only limited magic, no one could deny that they might grow stronger later.

Lolise had not actually contributed to the Magic Weapon Summoning Tome's recent growth. If she had, the magic she provided alone would have far exceeded that of the entire group of Ghost Maids.

"I'm such an idiot!" Zheng Yichen knocked himself on the head. Searching aimlessly for suitable contractors was far too inefficient. The Magic Weapon Summoning Tome was still limited in power, so it would not cause much of a sensation. Its reach was bound to remain small.

The strong would turn up their noses at it, while the weak would be useless. That would be a waste. People of moderate strength were just right.

"Twelve hours," Lolise told Zheng Yichen. "No one will see through your identity during that time. After that, this body will collapse."

Zheng Yichen studied the body before him with considerable curiosity. It was an avatar Lolise had made for him. Because she had used real flesh and blood, it had the same aura as a human. Of course, that was only a disguise. The body was still a product of Necromantic Magic.

That meant its lifespan was limited. Lolise's own physical nature shortened it even further. And because the spell was a complete high-level spell, Zheng Yichen had no hope of learning it. After all, the body bore not the slightest trace of a necromantic aura.

Even many Light Magic spells designed to counter it would fail to detect anything unusual.

Zheng Yichen scratched his head, then followed Lolise's instructions and sent his projection into the hollow head. The opening in the temporary avatar's skull closed on its own.

Inside, Zheng Yichen shifted uneasily before taking full control of the avatar. It felt astonishingly like using his own body before he crossed over. The difference was that he now had the option to "leave" it.

"I really want to advance soon," Zheng Yichen said wistfully. Magic in this world was not restricted by rank. Even a low-level Fireball could achieve extraordinary power, provided it was the complete version simply called "Fireball," not some stripped-down apprentice version labeled "basic" or "introductory." If its user was strong enough and understood the spell deeply enough—

One fireball could blow the top off a mountain. It would take an enormous amount of magic, though.

On his way out of the castle, Zheng Yichen picked up a bag filled with Magic Weapon Summoning Tomes. They were all single-use projections that would be destroyed after being used once, much like contract scrolls with an extra function attached.

He did intend to choose the tome's contractors from among students, but he was not going to overlook everyone else. Scattering a few more around would be fine.

"Ahh, I'm so sleepy." A city guard gave a long yawn and stared at the distant scenery with a bored expression. Guard duty was tedious, especially in a large city like Star City, deep in the continent's interior.

Even when war broke out elsewhere, a city like this was unlikely to be a first target. Its location aside, its defenses alone would be difficult to overcome. This was a peaceful region.

The city's prosperity left its guards with little to do, especially those assigned to the gate. Most days, all they wanted was for their shift to end so they could have a couple of drinks at a tavern and go home. Training at the Drill Ground would be better than standing here!

"Have you heard? There's a strange rumor going around the city." With little to do in the midday lull, several guards began chatting.

Naturally, they talked about the latest news.

"A summoning book that lets you call forth powerful Magic Weapons, right?" another guard replied before the first had even finished.

"No, no. I heard there are lots of them."

"Hmph! You know too little about magic. There's only one book, but magic lets lots of people see it. If you get your hands on it, you can sign a contract and summon the powerful Magic Weapons inside! Unfortunately, each Magic Weapon Summoning Tome disappears once someone signs a contract with it."

"Magic Weapons..." A guard wistfully shook the spear in his hand. Magic Weapons had never been common. For an enchanted effect to last, rare materials had to be added during their creation.

Otherwise, the enchantment was only temporary. Once it wore off, the weapon would become ordinary again. Worse, the erosion caused by elemental power could leave it less durable or even destroy it outright.

And a temporary enchantment could never match a Magic Weapon made with special materials.

Rank-and-file soldiers like them would never get to touch a Magic Weapon in their lives. "Why can't we get lucky and find a Magic Weapon Summoning Tome?"

According to the rumors, one really could find a Magic Weapon Summoning Tome. It appeared in unpredictable places; you might step on one while walking down the street. But anyone who deliberately searched for one would come up empty-handed.

Some people had even posted rewards to buy unused Magic Weapon Summoning Tomes. Their usefulness had also been confirmed: even the basic Magic Weapons could match the power of some ordinary enchanted weapons on the market.

Beginner Magic Weapons were easily several times more powerful than the basic ones. Higher-level Magic Weapons remained sealed, and no one knew how to unlock them, so few people knew what the Intermediate Magic Weapons were.

The guards were discussing what they would do if they found a Magic Weapon Summoning Tome when a thud drew their attention. They looked over. Lying there was unmistakably a Magic Weapon Summoning Tome...

The rumors had made its appearance widely known. Some people had even made counterfeits, though anyone with a little knowledge could spot them at once by their distinctive magical aura. There was one other thing: most people who encountered a Magic Weapon Book were young.

The guards fell silent for a moment as they stared at the Magic Weapon Summoning Tome that had somehow dropped before them. "What were we just saying? About finding one, right?"

"Yeah..."

At the academy's Training Ground, Petty watched Kesha warm up, her mind elsewhere. She had heard the rumors about the Magic Weapon Summoning Tome. At first, she had thought Connor had prepared it especially for her. But now more Magic Weapon Wielders were appearing—that was what some people called those who had signed contracts with the tome.

As their numbers gradually grew, Petty realized she was not the only one. She had received a contract early only because of her contractual connection to Zheng Yichen.

She had been prepared for it, yet she still felt a loss she could not put into words. Many others had become Magic Weapon Wielders, and even Kesha, the senior student teaching her combat techniques, had "happened" to find a Magic Weapon Summoning Tome two days ago and become one too.

"What's wrong?" Kesha sat down beside Petty after finishing her warm-up and asked in high spirits. She had spent a whole day trying out the Magic Weapons the tome could summon. Their power pleased her greatly. They were far better than her current weapon, and their varied effects could handle all sorts of situations.