What was a book? It was a compact body of experience, specially drawn from the cumulative memories stored within his subconsciousness.
Usually, every time Rainer transmigrates, he awakens with access to a limited variety of memories—specially allotted by Era to help him survive. This was done as the mortal mind was too limited for the total cumulative body of information Rainer had gathered across his lives.
As a result, Rainer tended to make do with that alone.
However, a book was different. It consumes memories rather than keeping them on standby to be recalled and forgotten.
In exchange, Rainer would not only know about the information. It would give Rainer direct lived experience from gaining certain skills. Depending on what category of memory is asked for, training would become faster, and mastery would be near effortless.
So if Rainer asked for a book on sharpshooting, Era would organize a complete package of memories related to experiences had training on shooting ranges, lessons learned from prior gun fights, and general arms maintenance.
However, those memories drawn would forever be gone upon death, wiped from the very soul.
This was a request Rainer rarely made, because he knew how important memories were to Era.
She had worked hard enough for all of them while the memories were being accumulated. He knew that consuming memories would make her feel even worse, as she had hoped for Rainer to transform and end their current pitiful state.
This made Rainer feel compelled to explain himself.
"Listen, Era. I think this Earth has a portal to another world. I sense mana in the air, and I'm being marched straight to its source." He sighed. "You know how dangerous these kinds of worlds can get. While I trust in my current abilities, since this is my last life—some security may be...prudent."
Era scoffed and opened her eyes.
"Prudent, is not a word I hear often from you... How many do you need?"
She asked, and Rainer cleared his throat, looking hesitant.
"Er... Three? Books for martial arts, weapon mastery, and jungle survival skills... I'm gonna need to strengthen my body for the rigors of battle, and since I'll be living in what might likely be a harsh jungle, some specialized survival skills would be lovely."
Era looked away thoughtfully for a moment and nodded.
"Fine. Give me time to organize them."
Rainer perked up, smiling.
"Wait! You agreed? Really?!"
Era simply nodded, and Rainer excitedly approached.
"Wow! You didn't even cut them down to one, or even two! You agreed to all three!"
Era blankly watched him as he drew near and said.
"This is your last transmigrati—"
However, Rainer caught her up in a big, tight hug before she could complete her words, and her cheeks couldn't help puffing out.
"Awe! Who knew you could be so wonderful! You're so adorable! I love you so much, you know that?!"
Rainer gushed, happily swinging her around in his chest.
When he stopped twirling. Era gazed up at him with the same expression and said.
"This is costly to me. Ensure you repay this kindness by living a long life with enriching memories...at least, enough to cover the books..."
However, Rainer had frozen on the word 'long'. He wasn't too sure about the prospect of that happening.
Era sensed this, and her eyes glowed dangerously.
"I would not want to transmigrate you again, Rainer."
Rainer trembled at the darkness behind her tone and nodded frantically.
"Good."
With that, she struggled up to his face.
"They will be ready the next time you come here. Now leave. It seems you have company."
Rainer's eyes widened at this.
"What? In my sleep—"
*Pah!*
Era smacked him gently on the cheek and his environment instantly changed.
Rainer opened his eyes and found himself seated cross-legged where he had sat to meditate.
It didn't seem like much time had passed, yet something felt horribly wrong.
It was nighttime and the camp sat silently before him. But the mountain range ahead was odd.
Streaks of milky white starry substance flowed from the sky and earth all around, spiraling and funneling into a sparkling phantasmagoric stream flowing down into the mountain.
Rainer frowned, tilting his head curiously at this.
"I'm still dreaming, aren't I?"
He wondered aloud and shockingly received a reply.
"Yes. Yes, you are."
Rainer sprang up and spun around to find Rufus seated against the tree with his legs folded up in his arms.
He didn't look corporeal. There was a ghostly quality about him.
"I'm dreaming too." He noted, staring at his slightly transparent hand. "But my dreams have never been so vivid."
Rufus' gaze shifted to the mountain.
"It must be because of that." He noted with wonder in his eyes.
But then his brows furrowed with worry.
"But grandmother said it's killing the world. She said evil lies within the mountain..."
He whispered ominously as if disclosing a secret.
However, his worried expression quickly changed into one of mesmerization as he looked up.
"...I never knew something evil could create such beauty."
Rainer stared at him lost for words. He couldn't help wondering how Rufus was so much more expressive here.
Rufus blinked as if remembering something and turned to Rainer.
"Oh. It's morning already, you know. You should wake up soon."
"Huh?"
Rainer felt something prod his sides but there was no one around him. When he looked back at Rufus, he discovered that he was gone.
The prod came harder this time, and at once, he was surrounded by blinding light.
He opened his eyes to the morning sun on his face, and intimidating silhouettes of horses loomed around him. They were all armed and garbed in proper armor, looking dangerous and ready for battle.
Amongst them was a familiar old man with half his face caught in shadows. He looked down at him with a gloomy expression.
It was Camp Prefect, Alexios, and he didn't look happy.
Rainer felt a chill run through his spine and he sat up.
He didn't know what was going on, but he could tell that something was horribly wrong.