Book Eater

Chapter 1 - The Greedy Grimoire (1)

"Theodore Miller."

A man with dark circles under his eyes called Theodore's name. The man's thin cheeks were pulled tightly over his already prominent cheekbones, creating an almost skeletal face. His neat attire was the only thing keeping him from being mistaken as a resident of the slums. In reality, this man was actually a third-grade professor and a 5th Circle master, placing him among the best magicians within Bergen Academy.

The skinny man, Professor Vince, spoke in a businesslike tone, "You should know why I called you."

Theodore Miller, often shortened to Theo, nodded silently. He couldn't bear to open his mouth and answer the question. He had prepared himself, but he couldn't pretend it wasn't tearing him in half now that it was actually happening.

"Your written examination score is brilliant. You were only deducted three points across all your subjects, and even then, only for minor mistakes. No one else could answer those questions except for you, so think of it as a perfect score."

Although it couldn't be confirmed publicly, the academy had a tacit rule that a full score shouldn't be granted so easily, so some test questions were purposely designed to trip up students. Nevertheless, Theo had only lost points for three questions. In some ways, it was a performance that rivaled certain professors.

Vince could not help but admire the talent of the young man standing before him, but the truth was a bitter pill.

Theodore Miller lacked the talent to become a magician.

"However, you can't graduate since you failed the practical requirement." Vince's decisive voice landed heavily on Theo's shoulders.

The academy had two graduation requirements. The first was to obtain a written examination score of above seventy points. The second was to become a 3rd Circle master. The first wasn't difficult, but the second requirement was a large problem.

It was just too difficult for Theo to become a 3rd Circle master, especially as he was born with abysmal magic power and sensitivity. Even though he forwent sleep in order to squeeze in more practice, he couldn't even reach the level of his classmates' feet. Despite hours of practice, magic would always wrest out of his control.

As a result, Theo hadn't been able to graduate for three years.

"Hmm... Theodore, what circle are you now?" Professor Vince asked, as a tinge of frustration entered his voice.

He had asked the same question last year and the year before. However, the answer hadn't changed.

Theo repeated the same answer, "... 2nd Circle."

It was a terrible number.

Most of the academy's students reached the 2nd Circle by the end of the first grade, and the 3rd Circle when they entered the third grade. There were also some excellent students who reached the 4th Circle by graduation. However, Theo had stayed at the academy for five years and still hadn't breached the wall of the 3rd Circle. But that wasn't the only problem.

"Have you mastered 2nd Circle magic?"

"... I failed." Theo's already quiet voice faltered.

If magic power was the only lacking thing, he could have supplemented it with outside sources. It would have been expensive, but if he consumed reagents made of magic power, he could obtain enough power needed to reach the 3rd Circle. However, Theo's sensitivity was almost zero. Mana sensitivity was indispensable for magic. The lack of magic power could be overcome, but there was no method to increase mana sensitivity.

It was why Professor Vince had given up on sponsoring Theo.

It's a waste of Theo's brilliance, but... with poor mana sensitivity, he'll never survive as a magician. Spending five years and not even mastering 2nd Circle magic, it's hopeless.