The Peculiar Alchemist

19 || The Summoned Book

 Every single time he caught a glance of the book on his desk, Aubrey couldn't help but feel a mixture of unwanted emotions. He didn't want to be happy about himself casting a spell, he didn't even want to admit that he actually did cast a spell. All he wanted was to forget that it ever happened, but the stupid book being there prevented him from ever forgetting that it did happen.

And it happened because he thought of Kellen.

There was something that made him able to be successful with his spells, and he was really stumped because he didn't know what that something is. The only thing that set Kellen apart from the rest to Aubrey was how annoying he could be, so why? Was he really a factor in his success?

Aubrey had been thinking about this for days, but there's one thing he didn't do. He didn't open the book to see what kind of book Kellen would actually want. There's not much he knew about him, so in a moment of curiosity, he gave in and decided to open the book and see what it was about.

What he saw was not something he expected, but he wasn't that surprised by it.

The book was too advanced for Aubrey to understand most of it, and it delved into one topic deeply. Whoever would want this book would have to have an extensive knowledge in this topic, and it clued Aubrey into what type of person Kellen is. Undeniably immoral and dreadful.

The book was about rituals.

And it would have been interesting if it didn't explain in detail the sacrifices needed for each one of these rituals along with the risks that would come if one failed to perform them.

There were many risks such as the ritual backfiring, insanity, and the minor inconvenience which was death. Honestly there were so many other risks that made death seem to be the least terrifying outcome, and it made Aubrey wonder why anyone would even bother with something so dangerous. Maybe it fits that Kellen would be so reckless – and stupid – enough to try something like rituals.

His self-preservation skills were severely lacking – not that Aubrey cared much.

Which is why he decided to take the book to Kellen himself with an idea in his head. He reasoned that if he gave this book to him, he'd learn many things. First, he'll know if his spell actually worked by confirming that this is actually something Kellen wanted. And second, if he actually did want it, he'll surely start reading it and maybe try some of the rituals inside.

Then maybe, hopefully, something will go incredibly wrong when he does, and Aubrey would finally be rid of him. Agnes would be grateful for that.

Aubrey knew that he would be.

And so he made his way to Agnes' cottage hoping – for the first time ever – to see Kellen there, but he only found Agnes kicking the crow's cage in frustration.

"This bird won't shut up." She grumbled kicking it again, and this time she kicked it so hard it rolled on the floor making the crow panic in its cage. With a look of disapproval, he stopped the cage from rolling and turned it upright trying to soothe the bird inside it.

"Maybe it is just hungry."

Agnes scoffed at that. "Good, let it starve to death. Oh, wait! I already did that and the damn thing came back to life."

It was said with so much annoyance that Aubrey had to look away to hide his smile as he stifled a laugh. Everything that was a distraction annoyed Agnes, but it was just too funny sometimes to see her so annoyed by the smallest things.

To be fair, though, birds can be loud sometimes.

"I am giving you homework." She suddenly told him, making him turn to her in interest. It was the first time she actually told him what to do, and he was eager for this learning experience. "You'll be making something that makes this thing mute."