Aur meticulously skimmed through the books on the shelves, examining each one with care.
With plenty of time at his disposal, he could afford to take his time.
After all, haste often leads to mistakes!
As Aur searched for his spells, three pairs of eyes kept a close watch on him from the moment he entered the room.
"What are your thoughts on this kid, older brother?" one voice inquired.
"That kid may possess self-awareness and intelligence, but without talent, he's merely a grain of sand destined to be blown away by the wind. At best, he might reach tier two, but he's not worth our investment," replied a cold voice, reminiscent of the one Aur had heard upon entering the treasury.
The other two pairs of eyes nodded in agreement as they averted their gaze from Aur.
"Indeed, big brother. We should return to our training. Although our potential has already been maximised, we can still slow our ageing with our methods. That kid isn't worthy of stealing our attention here."
"Very well then, you two can leave. I will keep an eye on him," the 'big brother' said in a cold voice, and the two figures silently retreated into the shadows.
Watching their fleeting departure, the 'big brother' shook his head with a sense of resignation.
"No matter what method they use, their lifespan is already dwindling. Unless they obtain the lifespan spell, what difference does a few months make?" he muttered to himself, his gaze fixed unwaveringly on Aur. Despite his words, his eyes remained cold and indifferent.
"I will remain loyal to this village until the end," he declared, a flicker of determination flashing in his eyes.
Meanwhile, Aur spent an entire day meticulously poring over the pages of the book.
Now before him lay two carefully selected spells, chosen after a day of thorough searching and contemplation.
Both spell books were adorned with covers made from the hide of an ancient animal, but there was a distinct difference between the two. One was noticeably thinner than the other, while the other was thicker and sturdy.
"Thieving magic and lightning magic..."
"Accept it."
Aur nodded obediently, and in an instant, the flicker of light entered his mind. His crimson eyes snapped open, flooded with a deluge of raw memories that cascaded through his consciousness, overwhelming him and compelling him to sit cross-legged in response.
"Thieving magic is among the most intricate forms of magic. Though the spells within this discipline are few, each requires extraordinary comprehension to inscribe into your mental space," the cold voice explained, now laced with a hint of amusement.
Yet, Aur was too absorbed in the torrent of information to register the change in tone, his mind consumed by the influx of knowledge.
With that said the 'big brother' became entirely silent.
With those words, the 'big brother' fell into complete silence.
After an hour or so, Aur rose to his feet, a smile gracing his features.
"Thank you, senior," he expressed, his countenance filled with respect as he exited the building.
The man observed Aur's departure from the treasury with meticulous attention, never once averting his gaze.
Once Aur had departed, the man let out a sigh, his gaze returning to its previous vigilance.
"If only he possessed a bit more talent, he could have been a valuable asset to the village, but..." Regret tinged the man's expression briefly before his countenance hardened once more, veiling his emotions behind a mask of stoicism as he melted back into the shadows within the treasury.
Outside the building, Aur cast his gaze back at the grand treasury.
"I will return one day," he vowed silently, his crimson eyes flashing with determination and cunning.
Upon his return, he was met by a man clad in white armour.
"Cameron?" Aur's internal confusion was palpable.
Cameron greeted him with a smile on his face, he was the person who previously had guided Aur to the class to attend the mandatory session.