Come, read it for us. (1)
Although said to be a workshop, it was more like an alchemy workshop or something like that.
Narrow, cramped, and crowded.
Old scrolls were piled high on a huge wooden table, ceiling-high bookshelves were embedded in all four walls, their grey spines drowning in shadow, and the musty smell of books hung in the air.
The young man sat cautiously before the table, his dark eyelashes lowered and his eyes fixed on a small spot before him.
“Don’t be nervous.”
Mu Heng lowered his eyes and looked over, saying in a deep, reassuring voice, “You can feel free to translate. Don’t need to be worried about mistakes.”
Shi An: “….. O-Okay.”
He slowly took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.
It’s okay, stay calm!
Shi An recalled what he had seen previously in the first book. The last section of the previous book covered the part about summoning dragons, so the next book would probably get to the main point right away!
It didn’t matter if it didn’t get to the main point immediately. He had the whole book in front of him and could flip through it!
–Then, he might soon find a way to recover his powers.
As for the translation …… he would follow along and take it easy.
Anyway, he was now an ordinary new human student. He guessed the principal wouldn’t have high expectations of him….. right?
Shi An felt that his mind was finally much more stable.
At this moment, Principal Pei came out of the workshop, holding a stack of papers between his withered fingers, and faltered to the table.
He divided the papers in his hands into three piles, one of which he placed in front of Shi An.
Shi An: “….. Eh?”
He blinked, reached out, and lifted the stack of papers before slowly asking, “Wh-Where is the original book?”
Principle Pei amiably looked at the young man in front of him and explained, “The original book is truly too precious, so we usually progress the translation using the transcribed version. But you don’t have to worry. My assistant was in charge of the transcription, and I guarantee one hundred per cent restoration.”
Shi An: “…..”
This is what I’m worried about!
He took another deep breath and looked down at the transcribed text in his hands with the last shred of hope.
What if, what if?
What if what was written in it was exactly what he needed?
Shi An’s eyes fell on the paper and swept over it with a single glance.
Scrape–
His fingers tightened abruptly, making a few creases in the paper.
On the side, Principal Pei pulled out his glasses and put them on the bridge of his nose, examining the transcript in front of him in the dim light. “Oh….. This should be the language used by humans during ancient times, but there were many variations in the grammar. Our previous estimation of when the book was written has to be pushed back. Besides, if I’m not wrong, there should also be quite a lot of dragon language used, which is very complex.”
He held his glasses upright with his fingers, his grey eyes narrowed behind the lens, and briefly scanned the text before him.
“Although I haven’t seriously translated each line and sentence….. according to my language experience, this section should be about the dragon species’ life habit.”
Mu Heng raised his eyes and replied quietly, “As expected of you.”
Principal Pei put the text down, looked at the indifferent silver-haired man in front of him with his deep, pale grey eyes through the lenses, and slowly said, “Although I’m already old now, I have heard something about the strange situation that happened during the real combat test that day….. Of course, I won’t seek confirmation about your rumour’s validity. However, since you have come to seek help from me, I’m afraid you have no intention of hiding it, right?”
Mu Heng: “You’re right.”
He omitted the information that should not be revealed and briefly explained the current situation to Principal Pei.
Given Mu Heng’s obsession with dragons, he was reluctant to share this information voluntarily.
However, the last brief contact with the mercenaries conveyed a terrible message.
— There were more forces besides him that coveted the dragon’s existence.
Since this was the case, he could only put his paranoia aside, mobilise all resources and forces, and use all methods, even extreme means, to be the first to find the dragon.
After listening to Mu Heng’s description, Principal Pei fell into deep thought.
He deliberated his words before slowly saying, “After ten thousand years, for a fantasy species to appear on the continent again….. the matter is of great weight, indeed. Even some as old as me couldn’t stay out of it. Chief, if you have something that needs my help, you can say it anytime.”
Mu Heng nodded. “Thank you very much.”
“So, do you think the key to this whole matter lies in this book that your ancestors left behind?”
“Perhaps,” Mu Heng said.
Principal Pei thought for a few seconds, then picked up the transcript and said, “Then, this section….. do we need to skip it? The thing we need to find is perhaps a magic spell or other more practical things–”
Mu Heng thought for a moment and replied, “No need?”
Principal Pei: “Oh?”
Mu Heng: “Since my ancestors chose to record these things, they shouldn’t be completely useless. Even the slightest, easily overlooked detail could be a crucial clue. This was the reason I came for your help.”
After all, the amount of work required to translate the whole piece meticulously was too large.
Principal Pei pondered for a long time before nodding. “Yes, you’re right.”
