Without delay, both men went straight into the conversation.
Fredrick did most of the talking, briefing Ezra on their entire journey along with the unexpected variables and rewards.
'Hmm…' this got Ezra thinking.
'To think I missed so many details…but it is to be expected since rumors and tales are always a bit erroneous'
The flaw of his past life memories was clear.
'I can't fully trust all the rumors I've heard'
Also…
'With this event alone, a lot of things will change from how it happened in my past life'
This much was for sure.
'So, the more time passes, the easier it is for memories to grow erroneous, or completely useless'
Which means…
'I need to gather as many pieces as possible in the shortest time possible'
Meaning, he'd have to take more risks.
'Hmm…' Ezra fell into contemplation.
When all was said and done, he didn't regret pursuing the plan the way he did, not one bit.
Only, now he had to be more cautious, thorough, swift and decisive going forward.
His aim from now on was simple.
Get as strong as possible as fast as possible, and then become even stronger than that.
Unlike others, he knew the peace permeating Orion was short-lived.
A time when Orion would almost literally be plunged into hell was coming.
In such an age, he would stand tall and gain far more than any other.
Now, his future plans and actions would be geared towards bringing this to fruition.
His next step would be…
'I guess it's time to revisit the Missionary'
"Fredrick, I can only thank you for such help. Once the plan sets in place, you shall reap your rewards"
Fredrick nodded and Ezra left.
With haste steps, he went to find Bolton.
"Sir Bolton, I would like to collect the Emperor's gifts"
Bolton's raised a brow.
'Why now?' he thought.
Still, that wasn't enough to get him off his seat.
If it was another child, he might have, but with the spectacle Ezra displayed earning him Skyfall, Bolton didn't see him as a child anymore.
Also, he was afraid that if Ezra, being the genius he was, got his hands on the best mana techniques within the vault, the power gap between him and the other princes would grow exponentially.
With each being a contender for the throne, Bolton didn't want to have a one-sided affair where the other princes would be shallow compared to Ezra because of an outrageous headstart as it had happened in the past.
So…
'Delaying his progress a bit would do more good in the long term'
This was the problem most encountered for being too outstanding.
"I'll have a guard escort you to the royal vault. I believe you will make fine judgment in picking your mana technique. As for the your request, simply write it down and have it sent over, I will see to that personally"
Ezra bowed as Bolton called in a guard and gave him instructions.
With that, Ezra was off to the royal vault following behind the guard.
It was a different place from where he picked his weapon.
This time, he was led to a huge door depicting wavy lines and strange marks.
Besides the doors were four guards on each side with spears and axes in hand, all of them Experts.
"Halt" the guard reverberated, full of power.
The guard escorting Ezra approached them and handed a note from the royal advisor.
A few seconds passed, after which the guard's eyes darted from Ezra's figure back to the letter in his palm.
'A kid? Going in alone?'
It was absurd to the guard, but who was he to question orders?
With a few hand signs, the guards split apart and opened the vault with a key.
Ezra moved his feet to see what lay beyond the large gates, but not before his escort left a few whispers, courtesy of Bolton.
"He said you are allowed to take only one mana technique. Notwithstanding, he has abolished the time limit, given that you are to choose without a guide. So you can stay as long as you wish"
While Bolton didn't want to see a one sided atmosphere, he would not necessarily give any side an advantage.
Rather, he did things fairly. It depended on how much an individual could make of any opportunity.
After all, it wasn't Ezra's fault that he'd been born a genius, now was it? Certainly not so.
And in that regard, Bolton didn't hold it against him. He was only trying to make sure he did what was best for the royal family.
To make sure that he did things in a way the Emperor would be pleased with.
Ezra then asked…
"Does that mean I may come and go, studying the essence of the mana techniques before I finally choose?"
The escort was stumped.
"Eh…I'll have to get an answer from Sir Bolton"
With that, the guard ran as fast as his legs could take him.
He couldn't afford to leave a prince waiting, now could he?
Two minutes later, the guard arrived with an answer.
"Sir Bolton permits it, but has placed a time limit of seven days starting from tomorrow"
To clarify, Ezra said…
"What happens if, after seven days, I didn't pick any?"
Bolton had thought of this question in advance so the guard immediately replied.
"Then he would personally hand you one without the opportunity to reject"
"Hmm…fair enough" Ezra spoke, nodding.
"You said seven days starting from tomorrow, does that mean I can no longer approach the royal vault today?"
"No, not at all"
"I see" said Ezra, as he patted the man's leg.
"Your service is deeply appreciated"
The escort was touched.
"I was only doing my duties"
Ezra nodded and entered the Royal vault.
The door closed behind him firmly, but Ezra wasn't in a mind to care.
The sight in front of him had him gasping in awe.
For starters, the interior was certainly wider than what he could have fathomed from the outside.
It was not supposed to be possible, but it was all too true.
Snapping out of his reverie, Ezra made a mental note to inquire about it.
The interior was demarcated into three parts, each having an inscription for identification.
One part said "Library", another said, "Herb and potion", and then, lastly, "Artifacts".
Ezra could infer what these words meant, but just to be sure, he went into the library.
He wondered why guidelines were written, since Bolton seemed sure of his disadvantage in coming alone.
'Ah!'
He understood the moment he stepped into the library.
Rows and rows of books extended as far as his eyes could reach, seemingly unending.
Then something interesting happened.
The shelves folded at fast speeds and, before Ezra could comprehend the situation, the other two paths had vanished.
Now, the library had extended, allowing one to view it in full.
He released a gasp of amazement from the sheer amount of books.
It amounted to at least a thousand, but wasn't up to five thousand, that much Ezra could tell.
He also realized why Bolton had allowed him to search for a full week, and also why guiding inscriptions were written.
'To have a five year old child pick his own path without any prior knowledge…no matter how I see it, this is just too cruel'
Then he blossomed a grin.
'Well, if that child was really a child, that is'
Ezra found it funny how opportunities were being gifted to him.
Glorious opportunities at that.
He had never seen this many mana techniques before, although it was too early to say they were all mana techniques.
'Right, combat manuals would be included'
'How do I use this?' he contemplated.
Then something struck him.
'The artifact section, I should check it out'
But wait.
'How do I do that?'
Now that he thought about it, he didn't know how to exit this place.
He stayed calm because panicking would not help the situation.
"Artifact" he said, but nothing happened.
"Herbs"
"Vault"
"Open"
For the next few minutes, nothing worked until he spoke in frustration.
"Just go back to the way you where"
What do you know? That's exactly what happened, leaving Ezra dumbfounded.
'Now, let's see what the rest of you have in store'
With that, he went into the artifact section.
