Fredrinn Firecrown: The Weakest Villain

'It will take me a long time to search for a suitable book by myself. I should ask Sir Alfred for advice. He should know where I can find the book that I'm looking for.' Thinking about this, Fredrinn headed to Alfred's desk.

He encountered a young disciple burning the midnight oil, but Fredrinn didn't disturb him.

[Body Refining 8th Layer]

'What a talented kid! He seems to be eleven or twelve, but he is already in the high layers of the Body Refining stage.'

Fredrinn turned around and went in another direction. The kid might lose focus if he went past him.

Soon, Fredrinn found the old librarian dozing off on his recliner. He also saw some bottles of wine on the table next to the old man so Fredrinn guessed that he must have been drinking all night.

[Void Tempering 1st Layer (Foundation Establishment 10th Layer)]

'Huh? What's this?' Fredrinn was confused by the data provided by the Battle Scouter Function.

He had few guesses as to why it displayed such data. It could be that the old librarian was a Void Tempering martial practitioner who was pretending to be at the Foundation Establishment realm. It was also possible that he was gravely wounded so the strength that he could release was only at the Foundation Establishment realm.

Whatever was right between the two, Fredrinn was astounded by the old man's cultivation. 'I wonder why he is working as a librarian for the household... I forgot to ask my father about this old man, but will he even tell me if I ask him?'

As if sensing his presence, the old man lazily opened his eyes. He turned his head with an annoyed look on his aged face. "It's you again?" He muttered.

Fredrinn smiled awkwardly while scratching his head. "Sorry for disturbing your rest, Sir Alfred."

The old man snorted. "What do you want?"

"It's like this. I'm looking for an ice-attributed technique. I was wondering if you could tell me where to find a decent one."

Hearing this, the old man revealed a thoughtful look.

"Why are you even looking for a technique like that? Most of the techniques in this library are fire-attributed and I don't remember you having an affinity with the ice element." The old man stared at him inquisitively.

Facing the curious old librarian, Fredrinn didn't know how to respond so he could only smile awkwardly.

"So you're not even telling me…" The old man shook his head, seemingly disappointed by his lack of response.

Fredrinn didn't want to offend this old ma so he quickly thought of a good answer. "Actually… I found a subordinate who has a high affinity with the ice element..."

The old librarian looked at him. "Go on."

"I came here in hopes that I can find a suitable technique for her, but I don't know where to start looking," Fredrinn added. He was telling the truth here. He planned to share the technique with Alice if he managed to find one.

"I see." The old man nodded and stroked his beard. "Is it for the young lady who came with you last time?" He asked.

"If you're talking about Olivia, it's not her. She has an affinity with ice, but her sword talent is superior. I'm talking about someone else." Fredrinn replied truthfully.

The old man was silent for a moment before he opened his mouth. "There isn't a lot of ice-attributed techniques in this library and most of them are mediocre." There was a hint of disdain in his voice.

Fredrinn pretended not to hear his remarks.

"However, I do have a few ice-attributed techniques with me…" The old man suddenly smiled, revealing two sets of pearly white teeth.

Hearing this, Fredrinn was pleasantly surprised. "Are you telling the truth?"

"You bet." The old man smirked and took out three books from out of nowhere.

Fredrinn noticed the ring on the old man's left forefinger lit up in that brief moment. 'Is it a storage device? This old man is definitely not simple…'

"These books are arcane-rank ice-attributed techniques." The old man crossed his arms with a smug look. He had more powerful techniques in his storage device, but he didn't want to expose more than he already had.

Fredrinn inspected the books.

[Do you want to use 50 Fate Points to learn the Frigid Ice Monument?]

[Do you want to use 50 Fate Points to learn the Frozen Arrows?]

[Do you want to use 50 Fate Points to learn the Freezing Point?]

"Not so fast." The old man took the books from him while shaking his head.

Fredrin knew that he had something to say.

The old man stroked his beard and said. "I will give them to you if you promise to bring me a supply of good wines every month."

"Just that?" Fredrinn was taken aback.

"What do you mean 'just that'? You uncouth young man! You don't know anything about wines!" The old man flared up when he heard Fredrinn's nonchalant response.

"Calm down, Sir Alfred! It's not like that. I just didn't expect this kind of demand in exchange for three arcane-rank techniques." Fredrinn quickly pacified the old man.

The old man snorted. "So what do you say? Do you accept my conditions?"

"Yes, sir! I promise to send you a batch of good wines every month. I believe you've heard rumors about me. I know a lot of places that sell good wines."

The old man was satisfied to hear this. "I've heard a few things. If it's you, you should be able to find some rare wines. Now take these books and don't forget your promise."

"Thanks a lot, Sir Alfred. I will send you the first batch of wine in two to three days." Fredrinn promised as he took the three books with him.

"Alright. Off you go. I want to rest." The old man waved his hand and went back to his recliner.

Seeing this, Fredrinn bowed and left after bidding him farewell.

'Who would have thought that a Void Tempering martial practitioner was actually living inside our estate?' He still couldn't believe this shocking discovery. If he didn't have the Battle Scouter Function, he would have remained oblivious to the old librarian's power.

Fredrinn was immersed in his thoughts and he happened to pass by the young disciple from earlier.

The kid also noticed his presence and he was startled when he saw that it was Fredrinn.

"My lord!" He bowed with a nervous look.

Fredrinn put the books in his inventory and looked at the young man. "Why are you still studying this late at night?" He couldn't help but ask.

"I-I'm preparing for the incoming annual disciples tournament, my lord. I only have half a month left to prepare so here I am."

"Oh? So it's for that tournament…" Fredrinn knew about this tournament.

The Firecrown Household has an annual battle event for the young disciples under the age of 15. This was a tradition that has been celebrated by the household since it was first established.

"What's your name?" Fredrinn asked.

"This one's name is Paul Gabriel Haraldson, my lord." The young man answered without daring to lift his head.

"I see… Wait. Did you just say Haraldson?" Fredrinn took a closer look at the young man's face. "Lift your head."

Paul raised his head, but he didn't dare meet his gaze.

Fredrinn rubbed his chin. 'This kid has some resemblance to Gunnar. Don't tell me this is his son…'

"Do you know Gunnar Haraldson?" He asked.

"Yes, my lord. He is my uncle. He took me in after my father died during the collapse of the energy stone mine more than a year ago." There was a trace of sadness in the young man's voice.

Fredrinn sighed when he heard this. He could only pat the kid's shoulder since he didn't how to console someone.

Paul didn't expect this kind of gesture from him.

"Visit me at my study tomorrow morning. I have something for you." Fredrinn said before he left.

Paul was at loss for words so he just watched Fredrinn walk away. It was only when Fredrinn was gone that he realized what happened. "Why did he ask me to visit his study? Did something happen to Uncle Gunnar?" He became anxious when he thought of this.

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