The tome morphed into a shadow once again. Sol cast a barrier after Olaf left with Ryuji.

(Tome) - Now that I got my body back, we can finish this.

(Sol) - I don't need to hold back anymore.

*Laugh*

(Tome) - You are amusing, human.

(Tome) - You were holding back against me?

(Sol) - I did not want to hurt my friends.

(Tome) - How nice of you, sadly they will perish by my hands after I am done with you.

The tome tried to break the barrier but he could not even make a dent in it. Sol's barrier proved to be much more powerful than the one at the arena.

(Tome) - This is not possible!

(Sol) - You thought that you are powerful, and you could give powers to others?

(Sol) - But you can not even break my barrier.

The tome got angry hearing those words coming from Sol.

*Spark*

*Thunder*

The weather started to get worse, earthquakes got more frequent, and a storm started ravaging everything around them, but Sol did not even flinch. He continued the chant to finish the fight. He was using a spell that would burn everything in a large area. It was a powerful fire spell that not many could use, but the area that the spell would affect was the size of a kingdom. Sol knew about such a thing and prepared the barrier before.

After he finished his chant, he smashed the staff into the ground and lava started appearing from beneath him. The tome wanted to run but did not know where. In a split second, the whole barrier filled with lava.

(Olaf) - No!

Olaf and the others witnessed Sol's sacrifice to finish the tome. After the lava disappeared, the barrier also fell and Olaf with Kenta rushed in there. They were shocked to see that the tome was still intact. They started searching for Sol's remains, but they almost gave up. Then something started moving on the ground. It was Sol, covered by his scarf.

Everyone was in tears, and Sol did not know what happened.

(Olaf) - Thank goodness!

(Sol) - How am I alive?

The scarf started moving around his neck.

(Olaf) - I think Ryuji is not the only one that got a new friend.

*Chuckles*

(Sol) - I didn't know you were a magic item.

Everyone was exhausted, but the fight was over. Sol shrinks the tome and put a barrier around it. The weather was still unstable from all the magic that was cast, and it was still pouring outside. The scarf enlarged and covered everyone so that they won't get wet.

*Step*

*Step*

*Grunts*

(Hayato) - Is it over?

(Sol) - Yes.

(Hayato) - I am glad you are back.

(Olaf) - We all are.

After a couple of hours, they arrived back at the capital and the rain stopped. The scarf returned to its normal size.

(Olaf) - Hand me the tome.

*Grab*

(Kenta) - You are going back to the library?

(Olaf) - Yes, we need to find out what was special about this one.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

*Chuckles*

(Sol) - Just don't get possessed on your way.

(Olaf) - I trust your barrier won't let whatever that thing was, out.

*Nod*

*Step*

They returned to the inn. When they got to their rooms, everyone passed out and woke up after two days.

*Yawn*

*Step*

*Door opens*

(Innkeeper) - Oh, you are finally awake!

(Kenta) - How long was I sleeping?

(Innkeeper) - Two days.

*Shocked*

(Kenta) - Two days?

(Innkeeper) - Your friends just woke up earlier as well.

*Sigh*

(Kenta) - That is good news. Thank you!

(Innkeeper) - No problem sir.

*Door closes*

*Chattering*

*Loud thud*

(Kenta) - What is happening downstairs?

Kenta went downstairs and Ryuji was chasing Sol around the inn.

(Ryuji) - Can he talk? Is he like Zeka?

*Whisper*

(Zeka) - Hmph.

(Sol) - No he doesn't.

(Ryuji) - Did you try to talk with him?

(Sol) - Yes.

(Ryuji) - What can he do?

(Sol) - I don't know.

(Ryuji) - I want a scarf like that too.

*Sigh*

(Sol) - I won't give it to you.

*Step*

*Step*

(Kenta) - What is going on here?

(Hayato) - Ryuji being a child.

*Everyone started laughing*

*Pout*

*Crossed his arms*

(Ryuji) - I am not a child!

(Kenta) - Yes, yes.

*Pat on the head*

(Hayato) - Should we go to Olaf?

*Nod*

*Growling*

(Sol) - But first, let's eat something. We were out cold for two whole days.

(Hayato) - This never happened before.

(Kenta) - With those cursed tomes, we can expect worse things to happen.

(Sol) - We need to train more.

*Everyone agreed*

(Kenta) - I am going to ask Eleanor if she can train Ryuji later.

(Ryuji) - Yes.

*Whisper*

(Zeka) - Now you can use me at full power as well.

(Ryuji) - That is good to hear.

After they ate they all went to the library to meet with Olaf. But while they were heading there, they heard some commotion.

(Kenta) - Did anything happen?

(Guard) - Just some quarrel between two vendors, nothing serious.

(Kenta) - Good.

(Guard) - Where are you heading?

(Kenta) - To the library, to see Olaf.

(Guard) - He was with Eleanor this morning.

(Kenta) - Any idea where they were headed?

(Guard) - I heard them talking about the king.

(Kenta) - Thank you!

*Step*

(Ryuji) - Did anything happen to the king?

(Sol) - If Eleanor came after Olaf, something might have happened.

(Kenta) - Let's hurry.

They were heading towards the king's chamber when they heard a familiar voice.

(Olaf) - What are you guys doing here?

(Kenta) - We came looking for you.

(Ryuji) - Did anything happen with the king?

(Olaf) - Yes, this morning Eleanor came to tell me that the king's situation got worse.

*Worried*

(Ryuji) - Is there nothing we can do?

(Olaf) - We have tried any medicine we could find, but he didn't show any signs of getting better.

(Hayato) - How is he now?

(Olaf) - He is resting, and Eleanor is watching over him.

(Sol) - I wonder if his health got worse after the encounter with the cursed tome.

(Olaf) - That's what I was thinking as well.

(Kenta) - Any news from the Wanderer?

(Olaf) - Not yet, but I hope he will be back soon.

(Sol) - He might be able to heal the king.

(Olaf) - That's what everyone is hoping for at the moment.

Ryuji was worried about the king's health, and as he was lost in his thoughts he started moving on his own.

(Olaf) - Ryuji?

*Grab*

(Kenta) - Hey!

*Step*

*Door opens*

Everyone was looking at Ryuji walking towards the king. Ryuji took the king's hand, and a strange light blue mist filled the room. The king breathed in the mist along with everyone else. After a couple of seconds, they started to feel refreshed.

(Sol) - What is this? I feel better than ever.

(Olaf) - Me too.

(Eleanor) - This kid's powers don't cease to surprise us.

As they were talking, the king opened his eyes and got up.

(King) - What is happening here?

Everyone was shocked to see the king on his feet after hearing that his condition got worse.

(King) - What is this mist? Is this a new medicine?

(Old) - This is Ryuji's doing.

(King) - Who is this Ryuji?

(Olaf) - The one I've told you with powers.

(King) - Ah. . . I remember.

(Kenta) - How are you feeling my lord?

(King) - I feel as if I am 20 years old again.

Ryuji passed out on the king's bed.

(Olaf) - We are glad to have you back.

(King) - It is this young lad's merit. We need to celebrate.

(Sol) - It might take a while until he wakes up again.

*Everyone started laughing*

(Eleanor) - I will watch over him, and notify you when he is awake.

(King) - Please do.

The king went outside after a long time, watching over the capital and hearing the cheering of the people he rule over. And all this because of Ryuji's inexplicable powers.