Shu Bao set to work that same day.
After searching the internet, he soon found a simple warehouse accounting program.
"Brings back memories... something similar to what I used when I was helping my dad with his books."
After activating the trial version, he entered several books and called Old Man Luo over for approval.
"Here's the search bar. Type the book title, even partial ones, and the program will return all the matches. If you want to add a new one, click the plus sign and specify the number. To delete, right-click."
As a demonstration, the young man added, found through search, and then deleted one of the books.
"This stuff costs 30 yuan a month. I could look for a free alternative, but there's a high risk of getting viruses or spyware. What do you think?"
"Let it be this one," the librarian agreed. He had never imagined that technology could be so simple and understandable.
"By the way, dinner is almost ready. Please come to the table."
Sitting down at the table and seeing his portion, Shu Bao reflexively calculated the cost of the ingredients—a habit he'd retained from his previous life. Adding the cost of the cooking labor, the young man deemed the final sum acceptable within the scope of their deal.
Over the meal, the men got to know each other better.
Old Man Luo turned out to be a beginner water mage and a graduate of the local magic school. Lacking money, connections, or even talent, he was unable to enroll in university and returned to his hometown.
"Maybe it's for the best," he sighed, remembering the past. "The profession of a mage is extremely dangerous, and most of my classmates died young. I'm quite happy here, surrounded by books... this job isn't for everyone, not for everyone."
The librarian lived a long life and, maintaining contact with his school friends, knew many funny and interesting stories from the lives of wizards.
The chatty, infectiously laughing old man had lost all trace of the sullenness with which he'd greeted the young man that morning. A compelling reason not to wake people early.
Shu Bao, in turn, spoke about his plans to enter a magic school and also awaken.
"It would be great to get some kind of in-demand element, but I'll be assuming the worst-case scenario."
The old man snorted derisively.
"You young people are too obsessed with comparing everything. The most beautiful girl, the most lucrative job, the most powerful element... but the world isn't so one-sided. Each option has its pros and cons, and one person's trash is another's gold. Wait a minute, I'll get you something."
The old man left the table and went down to the library floor, from where he soon returned with a thick, tattered volume.
The title of the book was: First Magic - Strengths and Weaknesses of the Elements.
"One of my favorites. If I'd met her in my youth, maybe this old man would have become a capable magician."
After thanking the librarian, Shu Bao accepted the book with a serious face.
Money, Magic, and Knowledge—the three main forces that make this world go round. Old Man Luo spent decades in the library, and if he gives a book a high rating, it's definitely worth checking out.
They spent the rest of the meal gossiping about the locals. The old man did most of the talking, while the young man listened and chuckled, occasionally offering comments.
What amused Shu Bao most was the fact that Mu Bai, the local "young master," maintained a Wikipedia page about himself, regularly updating it. Shu Bao laughed so hard he almost knocked over his plate.
"Oh, Mu Bai, Mu Bai. As expected of one of the main characters, you're no pushover! Ahahaha..."
After clearing away the dishes, the young man returned to work. He planned to fulfill his part of the bargain at least a month before the start of the school year, to give himself more time to prepare.
Take a stack of books, bring them to the computer, print out the titles, and take them away.
Take, bring, print, carry away.
Take, bring, print, take away...
Take, bring...
The monotonous activity quickly put Shu Bao into a meditative state, causing him to lose track of time.
When Old Man Luo closed the library in the evening and came to call the young man for dinner, he was still carrying books.
"Cough-cough!" he coughed mockingly, attracting Shu Bao's attention.
"Don't overdo it, boy. A sore back won't help matters."
The young man emerged from his working trance and looked at the results of his work.
In just half a day he managed to finish an entire bookcase, containing almost five hundred books.
Agreeing that that was enough for today, Shu Bao followed the old man.
Dinner, like lunch, was cheerful, accompanied by gossip and amusing stories from the librarian. The cost price was again satisfactory, and half a day of physical labor only increased appetite.
Having thanked the old man for the food, the young man went to his room, taking with him First Magic. There, lounging on his narrow bed, he eagerly began his evening reading.
First Magic: Elemental Strengths and Weaknesses
Preface
Young mage! Have you ever heard that the first element you awaken is the most important? Know that there is truth in these words.
The first magic we awaken will be our only available one for at least two or three years, until we reach the intermediate level. But even then, with the awakening of the second element, it remains our primary power—after all, the intermediate level is incomparable to the initial one.
When fighting monsters or competing with other young mages, we use the first element a lot and often, which inevitably leads to its faster development.
According to statistics on breakthroughs from intermediate to high levels, over 96 percent of mages used their first element! At high levels, as you can probably guess, the same thing happens, and to break through to the highest level, at least 90% of mages use their first element again.
Thus, the result of the first awakening has a colossal impact on the life of the magician... but this is not what our book is about.
In my travels around the world, I often came across the same picture:
Young and talented wizards, upon their first awakening, are given magic that is unclaimed in their country and therefore considered "useless." Lacking moral and resourceful support from those around them, they put less and less effort into cultivation, and sometimes even abandon the path of magic altogether.
Ah, if only they could see the broad smiles with which light-users are greeted in countries plagued by the undead! If only they could hear the loud, heartfelt laughter of African parents when their child awakens the rare, yet vital, power of water magic! Or perhaps they're more interested in the number of zeros in the contracts offered to land mages in island nations?
Have you awakened the "wrong" element and don't know what to do with it? Or do you want to learn more about rare forms of magic in your country? Are you wondering which element to try to awaken at the next level?
In that case, I hasten to please you.
Who knows more about necromancy than the Egyptians? What plant mage doesn't dream of studying in South America? What ice wizard wouldn't tip his hat to his colleagues from Russia's northern cities?
On the pages of this book, experts from all corners of the Earth will share with you the subtleties and secrets of their elements and give practical advice on their development.
How far will you go on this difficult but exciting path?
It all depends on you.
Go for it, young magician!
Sincerely yours,
Sir Richard Alford
Traveler, high-level magician.