Chapter 36: Sensing Magic

Library.

Scorching sunlight streamed through stained-glass windows, casting dappled shadows across the bookshelves.

A petite, adorable girl with silver hair lounged on a hammock, swinging her small feet as she flipped through a book, while beside her, a black-haired young man sat cross-legged on the floor, buried in a book resting on his lap.

Golden light bathed the two of them, filling the air with a quiet stillness.

Hum!

Suddenly, a deep, resonant bell echoed from outside the window—long and heavy.

The bell rang three times before finally rousing Xia Mingyu from his book.

He lifted his gaze from the page, gazing blankly at the girl on the hammock beside him.

“Your Highness, that is the bell from the castle’s clock tower—it signals noon.” Elise whispered.

“Before I knew it, the entire morning has passed!”

Xia Mingyu glanced at the dozen or so books scattered on the floor, stood up, tapped his numb thighs, then stretched his arms wide.

“I’m starving,” Xia Mingyu realized, his stomach hollow as if he could devour a whole pig.

Knock knock.

At that moment, the oak door of the library was gently knocked upon.

Who would come to the library at this hour? Could it be Viscount Hughes?

With this thought, Xia Mingyu walked over and opened the door.

Outside stood a beautiful girl holding a food basket and an elderly man in a black tailcoat—Anliya and Old Xiao En.

“Your Highness, I prepared some food for you. When I heard from Master Xiao En that you were in the library, I brought it here.”

Anliya gazed at the tall black-haired youth before her, a flicker of delight in her blue eyes; she presented the basket to Xia Mingyu with both hands, as if offering a treasure.

Yet he did not take it. Instead, after a moment of thought, he turned his gaze to Old Xiao En.

“Master Xiao En, may my maid and retainer enter the library?” Xia Mingyu asked.

Knowledge was the most precious treasure in the world—he naturally wished Anliya and Boge could read more of these books.

“By principle, no,” Old Xiao En paused.

“But if it is your noble self, I believe even if we emptied the entire library, my master would laugh heartily and help us carry it out for you.”

Just as Xia Mingyu thought he would refuse, Old Xiao En suddenly shifted tone, bowing low in respect.

This old man, nearly half-buried in the grave, had a sense of humor.

“Please convey my thanks to Viscount Hughes, and tell him I look forward to tonight’s banquet,” Xia Mingyu said calmly.

“It would be my utmost honor.”

“So many books! No wonder this is a noble library!”

Anliya covered her mouth, staring at the towering, layered bookshelves, her delicate face filled with awe.

In Guolancun, the only book she had ever seen was a tattered literacy primer owned by her adoptive father, Luo Bo, shared by the entire village.

“Anliya, you may read any book here. But I suggest you start with ‘Introduction to Blessings’ and ‘Comprehensive Guide to Blessings.’”

Xia Mingyu said softly—Anliya still had no Zhiyejiahu above her head.

According to her, it was because Luo Bo forbade her from doing farm work, limiting her to kitchen chores, so she never became a Farmer.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

A flicker of gratitude shone in the girl’s eyes. She placed the basket on the floor and gently opened it—immediately, a faint scent of wheat and rich meat filled the air, drawing even Elise’s attention from her hammock.

Inside the basket lay three steaming white bread loaves and a large piece of caramel-colored meat, glazed with orange-yellow honey, its edges slightly curled.

“Your Highness, this is honey-glazed deer leg, taught to me by Cook Mei from the castle. Please try it.”

Anliya whispered, watching him with hopeful eyes.

Xia Mingyu picked up the fork and knife from the basket, cut a piece of honey-coated meat, then took a bite of white bread, alternating between bread and meat.

In the next instant, the wheat aroma of the bread mingled with the sweetness of honey, while the tender deer meat left an unforgettable aftertaste.

Xia Mingyu’s eyes involuntarily narrowed in pleasure.

“Delicious,” he said sincerely.

This taste was certainly no worse than those Michelin-starred restaurants on Blue Star—even if he’d never been to one.

“I’m glad you like it, Your Highness.”

Hearing praise from her beloved, the girl’s face lit up like a sunflower blooming in spring.

“By the way, where’s that boy Boge?”

Xia Mingyu munched on bread and deer meat as he asked.

It was already noon—hadn’t that boy gotten up yet?

“Master Xiao En said that shortly after you woke up, he went to the castle’s training yard to learn swordsmanship from Knight Solin,” Anliya replied.

Swordsmanship—Xia Mingyu recalled: the “Comprehensive Guide to Blessings” mentioned that the next advancement for Hunter was Hunter’s Pursuer.

Literally speaking, sword skill didn’t seem to be a necessary condition for advancement.

In truth, this “Comprehensive Guide to Blessings” was more like a catalog—it only listed Zhiye names, with zero details on advancement conditions or abilities.

“The barrier of knowledge is truly insurmountable,” Xia Mingyu sighed inwardly. He decided to ask Viscount Hughes next time they met.

The man was a Morning Star-tier powerhouse and a noble lord—he must know far more than Xia Mingyu did.

“Elise, would you like some?”

After eating about seven-tenths full, he handed the basket—still containing one bread loaf and one-fifth of the deer leg—to the silver-haired girl on the hammock, who had been secretly swallowing saliva.

“Thank you for your generosity, Your Highness!” Elise accepted the basket with delight.

These were your castle’s ingredients—why thank him? Xia Mingyu shrugged, deeply appreciating how pleasant it was to have a good title.

“Elise, if I want to become a mage, is the first step learning to sense magic?”

After Elise finished eating, he put down his “Basic Magic” book and asked.

“Yes, Your Highness. Sensing magic is indeed the first step on the path of magic.”

Elise hurriedly rose from the hammock and stood upright, bowing respectfully in reply.

“But…” Elise’s expression hesitated.

“Speak freely,” Xia Mingyu said calmly.

“Not everyone possesses the ability to sense magic. In fact, only a tiny fraction have this talent—and even then, it often takes years of meditation before they can successfully perceive magic,” Elise explained.

Though this might offend His Noble Highness, she felt it necessary to clarify—lest His Highness waste precious time.

Countless nobles had spent years meditating as children in vain, hoping to become mages, only to squander their golden years of cultivation.

“I already know this from the books. You only need to teach me how to meditate,” Xia Mingyu said calmly.

He had read several books on magic, but they were all messy histories and introductions—none explained how to actually meditate or sense magic.

Damn knowledge barrier!

(End of Chapter)