noveldrama
Chapter 77: Power Comes to Those Willing to Work For It
Chapter 77: Power Comes to Those Willing to Work For It
Warlock Ch 77. Power Comes to Those Willing to Work For It
"So, uh… the training," Damian said, carefully casual as he cut into another piece of steak. "Are we going to continue it again today?"
Cassius's gaze glanced over at the clock on the wall. The time glowed back at them. 4:51 PM. "No," he said, his voice low but firm. "It's already evening. You should head home, get some rest. We'll continue the training tomorrow."
Damian felt a rush of relief but hid it behind a neutral nod. Honestly, his body was barely hanging on. Even with the restorative meal, his muscles were sore, and his mind felt like it had been stretched to its limit. But yeah, he said that to cheer Cassius up.
"Alright," Damian said, trying to keep his tone light as he took one last bite of the steak, savoring the lingering flavors. "Tomorrow, then."
Cassius gave a single nod, his eyes briefly softening before returning to their usual sharp focus. Damian took that as his cue and leaned back, setting down his fork as he finished the last bite of the steak. His stomach felt warm, the heavy, restorative meat settling in comfortably, its lingering warmth rejuvenating him from the inside out. He hadn't felt this recharged in what felt like ages, and he couldn't deny the satisfaction that came from such a simple pleasure.
A soft rustle caught his attention, and Damian glanced to his side, where one of Cassius's shadows materialized, reaching for his empty plate. The shadow took it with silent efficiency, gliding over to the sink, while another shadow appeared beside him, pouring him a glass of water with the same eerie calm. Damian took the water, nodding in appreciation.
"Thanks," he muttered to the shadow, feeling a bit strange talking to what was essentially a magical servant, but grateful nonetheless.
Cassius stood, his movements fluid and deliberate as he straightened his robe. "Follow me," he said, his voice unhurried but carrying an undeniable authority. "There are some books I want you to finish tonight."
Damian blinked, caught off guard. "Tonight?"
"Yes," Cassius replied simply, already heading down a shadowy corridor without waiting for Damian's reaction.
Damian let out a low sigh, setting his water glass down before quickly following. Despite the unexpected assignment, he felt a flicker of curiosity. Cassius's world was a mystery wrapped in layers of shadow and knowledge, and every time he peeled back a piece of it, he felt that strange allure pulling him in deeper.
They entered a large, dimly lit room that left Damian momentarily speechless. It was a library—though calling it that felt like an understatement. The room was vast, with towering bookshelves stretching up toward a high ceiling, each shelf packed with old, leather-bound volumes and strange artifacts, some of which hummed softly with their own energy. In between the rows, low-level shadow creatures floated silently, dusting shelves and rearranging books.
He caught a glimpse of a status hovering over one of the creatures.
Servant Shadow <Level 2>
Damian couldn't help but stare. These creatures, despite their apparent simplicity, moved with an unsettling intelligence, their dark forms flickering as they cleaned and organized.
Cassius stopped in the center of the room and snapped his fingers. At least ten books, each one as thick as a dictionary, floated off the shelves, gliding through the air in a neat formation. Damian instinctively reached out, catching each one as they piled up in his arms. The weight hit him like a ton of bricks.
Cassius watched him, his expression neutral, as Damian staggered under the sudden load. The books were heavy, far heavier than he'd expected, and he struggled to keep his balance as he glanced down at the titles. Each one was dense, crammed with spells, techniques, history, and other knowledge he couldn't even begin to guess at.
"You want me to read all of this in one night?" he blurted out, the words slipping out before he could stop himself.
Cassius turned to him, arching an eyebrow in that infuriatingly calm way of his, his stare saying, 'Yes. Is there a problem?'
Damian gulped, quickly realizing that any argument would be a waste of breath. "Uh… I mean, I'll need a bag for these," he said, trying to mask his frustration with a sheepish smile. "There's no way I can walk if all these books are blocking my view."
Cassius's eyes softened, just a fraction, and with a nod, he acknowledged the request. "Right. I'll give you a bag," he replied, waving a hand dismissively.
With another snap of his fingers, a shadow creature appeared, carrying a dark leather satchel that looked both sturdy and enchanted. The shadow placed the bag at Damian's feet, and Damian quickly began loading the heavy books into it, grateful for the added support. As he lifted it, he could feel a faint hum of energy, as though the bag itself was enchanted to reduce the weight of its contents. It wasn't exactly light, but it was manageable.
Cassius watched him with that same unreadable expression, his gaze steady as Damian adjusted the strap over his shoulder. "You're expected to finish these tonight," Cassius said, his voice calm but leaving no room for argument. "These volumes cover the basics of Mana theory, spellcrafting, and foundational combat techniques and a special book. You'll need them if you want to progress."
Damian looked down at the bag, feeling a pang of apprehension. "All of it?"
"All of it," Cassius replied, his tone unyielding. "If you're serious about mastering your power, you'll need a strong understanding of these fundamentals. Knowledge is as much a part of a mage's strength as raw ability."
Damian let out a long breath, adjusting the strap again as he squared his shoulders. "Alright," he muttered, more to himself than to Cassius. He'd asked for this, hadn't he? Pushed for it, even. If Cassius thought he was ready for this, then he'd rise to the challenge, no matter how daunting it seemed.
Cassius's gaze softened, just slightly, but Damian could see the flicker of expectation there, the unspoken challenge. "Remember," Cassius said quietly, almost as if speaking to himself, "power comes to those willing to work for it. There are no shortcuts here."