The quiet atmosphere of the library was broken only by the soft sound of pages turning. All the alchemy books Kazien had purchased earlier were now laid neatly beside him, taken out from his storage dimension in a single thought. Their old covers, some decorated with shimmering runes, seemed to glow faintly under the magical lamps above the desk.
Kazien inhaled deeply and opened the first book.
His eyes, bright with excitement, immediately scanned the pages.
This magic book is truly complete, he thought with growing admiration. It even contains the full recipes and energy sequences for every formula. I'm really lucky… No, blessed to have this cheat ability. I can memorize everything instantly. But the process itself… I must not be careless. Alchemy requires precision. For Alvin… for our future, I must master everything.
Each sentence, symbol, and diagram printed on the page was imprinted instantly into his memory. His mind captured every detail like an ever-expanding library. There was not a single formula, catalyst ratio, or spell sequence he failed to memorize.
Still, he refused to be complacent.
"I want to practice, but there are still four books left… I need to read everything first," he muttered to himself. "If I rush and make a fatal mistake, all the ingredients will go to waste. And worst of all, everything I create might fail."
He turned to the next page.
Schliff!
His eyes narrowed as he focused on the magic circle diagram covering a full spread. He reached out and gently traced the shape of the runes, following the flow of energy described underneath.
"The sequence should be like this… but can't the pattern be modified? This formula has too many weaknesses. Just one failed chant, and the entire object is destroyed. Worse—it can even injure the user."
Kazien clicked his tongue and reached for a quill.
He pulled a blank sheet of paper closer, staring back and forth between the book on his right and the space before him.
Scratch! Scratch! Scratch!
The quill moved swiftly. Runes formed, curves connected, geometric structures rose one after another. He wrote with the intensity of someone who forgot the world around him.
But then—
"Tch! Wrong again! No, no—this part collapses when the catalyst flow reaches its peak… Damn it! I have to start over. I must fix this. I will fix this. For my future—no, for Alvin. My goal is to master everything."
The quill resumed its frantic dance against the paper.
From behind the closed library door, four heads leaned in cautiously.
William sighed softly. "He's completely absorbed again."
Virena nodded. "He meant every word earlier. When he gets serious, nothing can distract him."
Davin crossed his arms, while Alvin, the smallest among them, pressed both hands anxiously to his chest.
"He's been talking to himself for hours…" Alvin murmured worriedly.
William gently placed a hand on Alvin's head. "Let's leave him. We'll only disturb him if we stay here."
The others agreed.
But even as they walked away, Alvin turned his head back one last time.
My dear… I believe in you. I'll be waiting. I can't wait to see your smile when you finally succeed…
Time passed. Minutes, hours, day turned to night. Kazien didn't notice any of it.
His world had shrunk to ink, diagrams, mana, and the endless possibilities hidden within each alchemy formula.
And by the time he closed the last book, he realized—
He had mastered all of it.
Every spell. Every recipe. Every construction pattern. He stretched his stiff shoulders.
Now… I must make the gift for—
Thud!
His body fell to the floor without warning.
********
"MY DEAR?!"
A familiar voice echoed before he felt strong yet trembling hands shaking him gently.
Kazien blinked awake.
The first thing he saw was Alvin's adorable face dangerously close to his own—eyes wide, cheeks puffed with worry.
"Why are you here…? I told everyone not to enter," Kazien said weakly.
"Y-You didn't come out! Not even once!" Alvin's voice cracked. "It's already night—the next night! You were gone for two days!"
Kazien shot upright in disbelief. "Two… days?!"
Alvin nodded.
Kazien gripped his temples. No wonder… My body finally gave out.
Then another horrifying thought struck him. Oh no… I haven't made the wedding gift for Sis Selena! I have to do it... now!
"My dear..." Alvin said softly, sitting beside him and placing a small basket of food on his lap. "Eat first. I cooked this for you. You must be starving…"
Kazien's heart squeezed painfully. Oh goddess… he's like an angel. How can someone be this cute and this kind at the same time…?
"I'll eat. Thank you, Alvin."
He devoured the food eagerly despite how exhausted he was.
"My dear, slow down," Alvin scolded gently.
Kazien paused, then handed the plate back to him.
Alvin froze. His expression immediately crumbled like wet paper.
Why… why is he giving it back? Did he hate it? Did I mess up the seasoning? Is he angry with me?!
"I'm sorry…" Alvin whispered miserably.
Kazien blinked. Then snorted.
"Why are you apologizing, Alvin? I wanted you to feed me."
Alvin froze again. Then his face lit up like a blooming flower.
"O-Oh! I'll feed you, then!"
And he did—happily, lovingly, with an expression brighter than sunlight. Alvin nearly melted.
My dear… you almost made me cry.
As Alvin fed him, Kazien set the remaining materials before him: a magic crystal and four pieces of purified gold. He arranged them carefully on the floor.
Seeing him ready to start, Alvin put the spoon down. He didn't dare interrupt now.
He simply watched, hands pressed together in silent prayer.
Kazien activated his mana.
The components floated.
The gold softened and shaped itself like warm clay.
The crystal split gently into two glowing pieces. Sweat formed on Kazien's brow as he guided the elements.
Higher concentration… steady… don't breathe too hard… focus…
Alvin forgot to breathe entirely.
He's incredible. As Sis Virena said… he'll never stop until he succeeds. That's my future husband…
Finally— A soft cling echoed in the library.
A necklace with a sparkling charm and a pair of golden rings lay beside Kazien's knees.
Alvin gasped. "A necklace… and rings? You stayed here just to make these?"
"Of course not," Kazien said with a small smile. "The necklace detects evil intent. I'll give it to Sis Selena. And the rings… strengthen magic power. Later, I'll turn these into our engagement and wedding rings."
"…Eh?" Alvin's eyes widened to the size of full moons.
Kazien laughed. "Do you like them?"
"I like them! Thank you so much, my dear!"
He hugged Kazien tightly—so tightly it seemed he wanted to become one with him. His warmth, his trembling happiness…
Kazien felt all of it.
"My cute prince," Kazien whispered, "I want to eat again. Can you feed me?"
Alvin pulled back and nodded enthusiastically. "Of course!"
And once again, Alvin happily fed him with a smile so bright it could heal the dead. But suddenly—tears rolled down Kazien's cheeks.
Alvin panicked. "My dear?! What's wrong? Did I hurt you?"
"No… I hurt myself. I hurt you. I regret making you jealous before. I'm truly sorry…"
Alvin gently cupped his face, wiping the tears away with trembling fingers.
"My dear… I already forgave you. Just don't do it again."
Kazien grabbed his hands. "I promise. I'm so grateful to have you… I'm terrified of losing you. I want to be with you forever."
"Always together forever?"
"Yes. Always together forever!"
Alvin's smile bloomed like sunrise. The library—once filled with the scratching of quills and rustling of pages—became a place of quiet happiness as the two embraced their future.