With the expenditure of a skill point, the attribute panel updated.
[Skill Points: 45 → 44]
The ability Scroll Making appeared in the occupational skills section.
...
[Skill: Scroll Making]
[Cost: 1–3 low-tier scrolls / 5 MP (mana cost doubles for every three tiers higher)]
[Description: Allows the creation of blank magic scrolls of corresponding tiers using specific materials (requires more materials and mana).]
...
Adam glanced at the skill information on the panel, his eyes gleaming faintly.
Who would've thought?
The technique for scroll making was acquired so easily!
This scroll-making method, clearly adapted by humans for greater accessibility, had the drawback of "higher material and mana costs." For Adam, however, this was hardly an issue.
Much like the Alchemist ability, without higher-grade herbs and materials from the game, crafting high-tier potions was impossible. But with the Papermaking skill, which could be upgraded via skill points, Adam could be self-sufficient in materials. The only concern was mana.
"Is this a second-tier magic scroll?" Adam asked suddenly.
"Correct," the middle-aged magic caster replied, glancing at Berolay. Noticing that his usually stern Master showed no sign of stopping him, he was surprised but continued explaining. "Ordinary sheepskin scrolls can only hold first-tier magic. They can't handle second-tier magic."
"That's why we combine sheepskin with paper made from second-tier 'Papermaking' to create these magic scrolls."
Adam nodded, feigning understanding, and turned his curiosity to the pale golden liquid used to soak the paper. "And this liquid?"
Having the scroll-making technique wasn't enough! He needed the skills to infuse magic into the scrolls.
Adam had no interest in apprenticing under a caster likely limited to third-tier magic. Seizing this opportunity, he aimed to extract as much knowledge about scroll-making as possible.
The middle-aged magic caster glanced at his Master again. Berolay was inspecting the freshly made scroll, paying no attention to their conversation.
"It's a magical solution that stabilizes mana," the caster said, his tone now warmer, his expression friendly.
He had initially assumed this black-haired youth was brought here due to some special status. But now, it seemed Adam had caught the Master's eye.
"Learning second-tier 'Papermaking' is far more difficult than other magic of the same tier," the caster continued. "Factors like the caster's mana strength and proficiency cause variations in the mana content of the paper produced."
"This makes scroll-making prone to mana instability, leading to failures or even dangerous mishaps. The magical solution helps stabilize it."
At this, the middle-aged caster's face lit up with flattery as he glanced at Berolay. "Only our Master can produce perfect second-tier paper without needing the magical solution."
So that's how it works!
Upon learning the role of the pale golden solution, Adam's interest waned. A trace of pity flickered in his eyes as he looked at the middle-aged caster.
That flattery missed the mark.
Back in the main hall, the stern old man had examined Adam's second-tier paper, pompously remarking that it was "among the best of his disciples." Now, it was clear he was just inflating his own ego.
Adam's second-tier Papermaking was likely on par with Berolay's.
Of course, this was thanks to his player abilities, not his own skill, but the result was the same.
No wonder Berolay hadn't bothered asking for details about Adam's capabilities before offering to take him as a disciple.
As expected, the moment the middle-aged caster finished speaking, Berolay, who had been inspecting the scroll, paused.
"How many blank magic scrolls have you made today?" Berolay asked, lifting his head, his expression unreadable as he stared at the caster.
"The… second one," the caster stammered, sensing the shift in atmosphere.
"Only two in all this time?" Berolay's voice was calm but cutting. "Since you're so idle, clean this place up."
The middle-aged caster looked bewildered and aggrieved. "Huh?"
Making scrolls wasn't overly complex, but selecting papers with similar mana levels, preparing the magical solution, and recovering mana all took time.
"Do I need to repeat myself?" Berolay narrowed his eyes.
"Yes, Master!" The caster didn't dare argue, quickly turning and hurrying off.
Having his little scheme exposed, Berolay's wrinkled face showed no change, maintaining its usual calm. "That's the process of making magic scrolls," he said evenly.
With that, he continued deeper into the building, his steps noticeably quicker.
Following Berolay's lead, Adam entered a dimly lit, cluttered room.
Yes, "cluttered" was the right word.
At a glance, the room was roughly 100 square meters, with nearly a third of it packed with dense bookshelves. On the wall facing the door hung a massive, ancient map, its central rugged mountain range seemingly splitting it in two.
Is this… a map of the Re-Estize Kingdom and the Baharuth Empire?
The prominent Angelicia Mountains caught Adam's eye, sparking the thought.
Beyond that, the room was filled with oddities: stone tablets, fragments that looked carved from some structure, scattered notes, scrolls, and beast hides of various colors.
In a corner, Adam even spotted the complete hide of an adult Invisible Hound. No wonder Berolay had been unfazed by the sight of a young one.
These items were strewn about, making the space feel overwhelmingly cramped.
"I know you have many questions," Berolay said, his stern, almost harsh demeanor softening as he entered the room, a trace of weariness in his eyes. "No rush. Sit, and we'll talk."
Adam didn't bother with formalities, taking a seat across from him.
Berolay paused briefly, then chuckled lightly. "Good. Those with talent should stand apart from the mediocre."
***
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