Chapter 164: A challenge

A Transcendental Tier art?

Malrik’s hand remained frozen in mid-air. Beneath his calm exterior, his mind was racing.

From what he had gathered so far, the chasm between High and Transcendental arts was vast.

The chances of acquiring one were incredibly slim. But if the soul was right, everything would change.

Mastering a Transcendental art would be excruciatingly difficult, but the payoff would be a Legacy Art sitting at the very pinnacle of the world’s Legacy Arts.

Why would he ever settle for less?

Gathering his thoughts, Malrik focused inward, channeling his focus to communicate with the silent soul. After remaining completely quiet since yesterday, it had finally decided to speak.

’ How could you possibly know that? ’

Malrik communicated internally, keeping his face perfectly neutral so as not to betray a single emotion to Eldric.

Malrik communicated internally, keeping his face perfectly neutral.

’ Didn’t you hear the Elder? They studied it extensively and couldn’t even determine its true tier. ’

The soul fell silent for a brief moment.

’ This is the ’Formless Blood Moon’ art ’

she finally replied, her voice carrying a strange mix of pride and melancholy.

’ The creator of this art... was my father. ’

Malrik’s heart skipped a beat, a cold wave of disbelief washing over him.

He didn’t gasp or flinch externally, but his mind raced as he stared at the charred cover. Could a coincidence like this truly exist in this world?

’ Is that true? Do you know how to use it? ’

’ Yes. I even evolved it further during my time. ’

A surge of genuine excitement coursed through Malrik. He realized he was looking at an unprecedented opportunity.

’ If you already know how to use it, why do you need the book? ’

’ That...’

The soul hesitated.

’ My memories are currently fragmented. I do not remember everything right now. But if I examine this tome, I’m certain it will awaken a large portion of my lost memories. ’

A faint smile curved Malrik’s lips.

’ Hmm... Then what about me? What do I gain from helping you restore your memories? ’

’ Insolent. ’

The soul’s tone flared with sudden, cold irritation.

’ I’m just being realistic, ’

Malrik replied smoothly, entirely unfazed by her anger.

’ Our relationship right now is built on mutual benefit. If I help you recover those memories, I should get something in return. Isn’t that fair enough? ’

The soul remained silent for a long moment, clearly displeased but unable to refute his logic.

’What is it that you want, arrogant human?’

The faint smile on Malrik’s face widened slightly.

’How about you help me master this Legacy Art? After all, you’ve already mastered it yourself, haven’t you?’

Malrik had just found a golden opportunity to kill two birds with one stone.

’If she accepted his offer, she would have to personally fill in the missing and burnt pages of the manuscript. Not only would he acquire an art used by an entity that had once reached the Empyrean rank—absolute proof of the art’s terrifying power—but he would also gain direct, personalized guidance from someone who had already mastered it.’

After hearing Malrik’s demand, the soul scoffed.

’So, you wish to become my disciple? No, thank you. Judging by your physical vessel, you are far too weak to wield such a magnificent art.’

’What nonsense is this? ’

Malrik shot back.

’I never asked to be your disciple. I just want your guidance when I need it.’

’Arrogant fool. Do you truly believe you can master an art of such grandeur without an expert to guide you? You would need at least a thousand years just to master the first form on your own.’

Malrik’s eyes gleamed with a cold, competitive light.

’Is that a challenge? Fine. I accept’

’Here’s the deal. I’ll take the book and help you examine it to recover your memories. In exchange, you’ll reconstruct the missing and burnt sections yourself. I’ll master the first form in less than a hundred days, and when I do, you’ll guide me through the remaining forms. Do we have a deal?’

The soul let out a dark, mocking laugh that echoed in his mind.

’A hundred days? You’re dreaming, foolish human. Very well. We have a deal.’

A faint smile played at the corner of Malrik’s lips.

’We’ll see.’

Then Malrik pulled himself out of his thoughts. He shifted his focus back to reality, where Elder Eldric was standing quietly, having patiently given him the time to weigh his options.

"Well? Have you made your decision?" Eldric asked, his sharp green eyes observing the young man.

"Yes, Uncle Eldric. I will take this one." Malrik said, pointing directly at the dilapidated book bearing the carving of the bleeding red moon.

Elder Eldric raised an eyebrow, his expression turning visibly skeptical.

"Did you not hear a word I just said? This art is incomplete, Large sections of its mana flow pathways are damaged. Are you absolutely certain about this, boy?"

Malrik nodded with unwavering certainty. "Yes. I am sure."

Seeing the conviction in Malrik’s eyes only deepened the Elder’s bewilderment. "Where exactly is all this confidence coming from?"

Malrik offered a faint, cryptic smile.

"If I told you that an ancient soul from a great, long-lost empire just whispered in my ear and told me to take it... would you believe me?"

Eldric stood there for a moment, staring at Malrik, who had delivered this utterly absurd statement with a dead-serious expression.

He finally sighed, shaking his head. "If you do not wish to tell me your real reasons, that is fine. But do not spout such utter nonsense with such a straight face."

Malrik simply smiled and offered no further explanation. The truth, it seemed, was always the hardest thing for people to believe.

With a casual wave of Eldric’s hand, the burnt book with the bleeding moon drifted forward, settling gently into Malrik’s waiting hands. Meanwhile, the other five books floated back to their respective marble shelves, and the heavy glass panels slid down to seal them away once more.

"The book is yours," Eldric said, his tone turning strict. "But I will have to submit a formal report of this choice to the Duke. If Vaelzareth finds out I willingly handed you a defective art that ended up crippling your mana pathways, he might just kill me himself."

Malrik listened to the Elder’s warning and gave a single nod of understanding, making no further comment.

Elder Eldric escorted Malrik back through the endless corridors of the vault until they finally reached the main entrance. As the massive black gates began to open, the Elder looked at him one last time.

"I suppose I’ll see you tonight, then?"

"Yes," Malrik replied smoothly. "The Duke has already commanded my presence. I wouldn’t dare miss it."

"Good," Elder Eldric said, a wry grin playing on his lips.

"Wouldn’t want you missing out on all those lovely ladies, would we?"

He paused mid-step, suddenly bursting into a soft chuckle.

"Ah, right... my apologies, boy. I almost forgot you already have a fiancée!"

He shook his head, still laughing to himself as he turned away, disappearing into the quiet depths of the treasury while the massive black gates ground shut behind him.

Malrik watched the heavy doors seal tight, muttering under his breath.

"That old man..."

He dismissed the Elder’s teasing without another thought.

Slipping the burnt manuscript safely into his spatial ring, the lingering calm on his face vanished, replaced by a cold, sharp glint in his eyes.

"Now then, it’s time to settle some old scores."