Elite Mages’ Academy (Web Novel)
chapter-128

Chapter 128: The Value of Notes

Although Song Junlang was complaining, his expression suggested that he was waiting to be praised. The Dragon-eagle Knight Regiment were the elite troops of Judge Academy, and it did not take a genius to know that the birth and growth of that creature was under America’s strict control. Xiao Lin also had to give credit to Song Junlang’s connections and skills, for the latter could steal a newly born dragon-eagle so stealthily in someone else’s city.

“What are you going to do if you’re discovered?” Xiao Lin did not praise him, but instead asked anxiously. However, he regretted asking that question as soon as he finished speaking.

“I’ve got someone up there!”

Department Head Song’s answer was exactly the same as Xiao Lin’s expected. Other than cursing silently and guessing just how strong his backer was, Xiao Lin was left in awe.

After feeding the creature, Song Junlang noticed that Xiao Lin came back with a big bag and asked out of curiosity. After learning that they were the skill books that Xiao Lin had obtained in the trade district, he reluctantly said, “It’s not like we don’t have all these basic skill books at our college. Why must you give the Americans a chance to make money from us.”

Xiao Lin defended himself. “They gave it away for free. These skill books are different because they’ve been used.”

Song Junlang’s mind went blank for a moment before he said, “It’s a used book? Are you talking about other people’s notes and explanations in these books? Everyone’s understanding of skills is different, and there’s still the question of whether other people’s experiences are useful for you. Most importantly, how will you ensure that other people’s explanations are correct? If you study them incorrectly, you’ll be lucky if you only waste your time. What if you’re misguided or the spell bites you back? You’ll be ruined for the rest of your life! ”

Xiao Lin was shocked because he did not expect it to be so serious. He was unsure if Department Head Song was just trying to frighten him, but he still felt uneasy. He quickly took out the four notebooks in the bag and handed them to Song Junlang. “Why don’t you check them out for me? I’m not sure if the contents are completely correct.”

Song Junlang had nothing to do, so he agreed and took one at random. He whispered to himself as he perused through it. “Earth-shattering Chop? This is the kind of skill you can find on the street, and you must use an axe-type weapon for it to truly be effective. Why do you need this for? If I remember correctly, you learned swordsmansh—”

Song Junlang’s complaining suddenly came to an abrupt end and his expression became rather odd. Xiao Lin thought he had actually found a wrong comment, so he hurriedly peered over, only to find that Department Head Song’s eyes were fixed on the title page of the note. A name was scribbled on the yellowed page: Tang Ken.

After a long while, Song Junlang looked up and shot Xiao Lin an unsure look. “This Tang Ken. That Tang Ken?”

Xiao Lin was confused. “Who is Tang Ken? I don’t know him.”

“Well, of course I know that you don’t know him… You’re still a freshman, and it’s normal if you haven’t heard of this person, but if this really is him. Tsk tsk…”

Xiao Lin was still confused. “Come on, don’t keep it to yourself. Who’s Tang Ken?”

Song Junlang’s teasing expression became somewhat serious. As he read through the notes, he slowly said, “Tang Ken was an S-rank genius who appeared in this world about a century ago. He was an outstanding character who had a terrifying strength. Anyone who has the heart to understand Dawn Academy’s history would definitely have heard about a figure like him. His contributions to Dawn Academy deserve everyone’s respect.”

Xiao Lin was tongue-tied. He then asked, “Then what level of strength is he now?”

Song Junlang sighed, “Decades ago, he was killed in the war with the orcs. He and his power were the sole force that stopped tens of thousands of elite orcs. In the end, his lifespan was drained and he died of exhaustion. It was such a pity; he could well become an even more legendary figure if he lived to this day.”

Xiao Lin became silent too, but he soon asked, “This note is a relic of his, then?”

Song Junlang put down the notebook and spread out his palms. “My knowledge of Tang Ken is limited to history textbooks. As far as the authenticity of this notebook is concerned, the only ones who could tell are probably those acquaintances who fought with him back then.”

Xiao Lin smiled bitterly. Those ideas were still too far away, so he left that notebook aside and passed him the Lightsword’s notes. After what happened earlier, Department Head Song’s expression became even more serious. Just looking at the signature of the notes made him burst, “F*CK!”

“What is it now?”

“Ouyang Ming? The Sword Saint Ouyang Ming! More than 50 years ago, he brought a light sword and went straight to the merfolk’s hinterlands, killing the merfolk’s king. At least half the credit for bringing peace to Dawn Academy’s surrounding areas should go to him…”

Song Junlang did not even bother to look through the contents and simply took out the other two notes for Flame Bullet and Wind Defense. His face had a look of utter shock when he glanced at the signatures.

Xiao Lin’s curiosity was thoroughly aroused and he continued pressing further about them. The two notes were signed by foreigners, and they were not in English either, so he did not know what their names were.

“Basil, a French alchemist. He’s created many novel alchemical formulas, many of which received recognition, even by Norma’s natives. Wolff, a German wind elementalist, is said to have taken the half-step into Legend-rank.”

Xiao Lin had never heard of those people, but had a rough idea of their immense character from Song Junlang’s awe-inspired tone. The two of them looked at each other for a long time, and Department Head Song asked silently, “The one who gave you the notes. Who was it?”

“Uh…” Xiao Lin suddenly remembered that he knew the other party only by their surname: Lin. No other information was given, and he actually had no plans to go back at all.

“Lin. A graduate of Dawn Academy?” Song Junlang racked his brains but failed to recall any famous graduates in the history of Dawn Academy. In any case, if the other party was really a graduate from decades ago, it was not at all surprising that Department Head Song did not know.

“What should I do about these notes then?”

“How should I know? I can help you identify them if they’re from ordinary people, but if it’s these people…” Song Junlang looked helpless.

“Such a valuable thing was actually given to me for free.” Xiao Lin also had some doubts about it.

“Valuable? No, no, no. That person was right. Even if these signatures aren’t forged, the practical value of these notes are very limited. At most, they’re a small collection of commemorative value,” Song Junlang corrected him. “These are just Black Iron-ranked skills. The level is really low, but it’s not too bad for freshmen.”

Department Head Song’s meaning is very simple. Regardless of whether those notes were real or whether the annotations were correct, it was still something that he got for free. One could take a look at them when one had the time. Xiao Lin could learn from it if he found them useful, or vice versa. Either way, he would not lose anything.

Xiao Lin happened to think the same too. He set aside the skill books and thought of something more interesting. “Ivanovich. Have you heard this name before? It’s probably Russian.”