Alfred's shoulders drooped at the revelation.
He couldn't deny it anymore. He was indeed in a world unknown to him.
Yet, for some reason, depression did not consume him; in fact, he was calmer than he had expected.
'Well, perhaps because I have nothing in my old world? I have neither achievements nor a future back home. The only regret I have is transmigrating into a world that seems to be filled with danger.'
"Young lad, stop gawking around and tell us." Shaman Catori was almost at her limit, as evidenced by the twitching of her body. "If you do not explain that book right now, I will let Vir handle you."
Alfred peeked at the still frowning, muscular man.
He appeared to be more upset than before, as his eyebrows had deeper wrinkles in them.
'I'd better follow what she wants; I don't want to deal with that man right now.'
"I understand; I will explain it." Alfred raised the old book and flipped its brown cover, reading the first page. "It appears this book is about Rune Formation. Are the Elders familiar with it?"
The three Elders glanced at each other, looking for the answer none of them had.
"No, we are not aware of this Rune Formation," Chief Viren clarified. "Did the book explain what it is?"
While Alfred's eyes moved side to side, his mouth slowly widened as the book's content was akin to absurdity.
"This… this is impossible!" Alfred screamed in disbelief.
"What? What did the book say?!" Shaman Catori questioned in a hurried tone. "Quick, tell us."
"The book says… that upon learning its content, the reader will have the ability to conjure fire out of thin air, reshape dirt, flood the world, and call for the wind," Alfred dictated, his voice trembling and his eyeballs shaking.
"What?!" Chief Viren exclaimed, destroying his image of calmness. "Is that true? Does that book have the power to do such a thing?!"
"I-I don't know," Alfred hesitantly replied. "I don't think that is possible."
"That book… Is that a book of Sorcery?" Shaman Catori steadily extended his quivering hands. "I have longed for that kind of book since my youth. Is it really a book of Sorcery?"
Alfred couldn't understand the reaction of the Elders.
'How can they even consider this book as real? It is clear that this book is nothing but nonsensical.'
"Young Alfred, hurry up and read the next page." Elder Ahote remained unbothered. He seemed to be uninterested or just didn't believe the book. "Tell us more about that book so we can understand it better."
Alfred nodded absentmindedly.
Even though he had already judged that the book was rubbish, and reading it further was a waste of time, it was only right to learn more, so they wouldn't have any regrets.
Alfred turned over to another page.
The third page of the book was blank, while the second page only had a few words written on it.
Alfred read and translated the sentence in a loud voice.
Only those who possess the right blood and talent can unlock the knowledge contained in this book. A drop of blood on the book's page will tell you the answer.
Alfred tried to see more pages, but none of them had any content.
"I think that is all," he said, peeking at the old people's faces, wanting to see their reaction. "What do you think is the meaning of the last words?"
Before anyone could utter a word, Shaman Catori snatched the ancient book out of Alfred's hand.
With quick succession, Shaman Catori plucked a sharp bone from her hair, pricked her index finger, and then dropped blood on the yellow page of the book.
None had expected what happened, not Elder Ahote, not Chief Viren, not Alfred, and even the warrior of the tribe, Vir, had failed to react.
"What have you done, Shaman Catori!" Chief Viren worriedly asked. "That book is too important, you know that!"
The Elder's voice echoed throughout the tent, but no one reacted as something happened to the page marked with blood.
The blood Shaman Catori dropped had disappeared, devoured by the seemingly unimpressive yellow pages.
Shaman Catori's face shone in anticipation.
Even the indifferent Elder Ahote leaned closer to get a better view.
'What… just happened? Is the book really magical?'
Alfred couldn't believe his eyes.
How could he? What occurred wasn't something normal for him.
However, before they could fully digest the situation, the worn-out book finally reacted.
The book quivered for a few seconds and soon after, spat out Shaman Catori's blood, letting it fall on the dirt. This signified its verdict. She was… unsuited for the book's knowledge.
The smile on Shaman Catori's face went away while the excitement in her eyes completely dimmed. Reluctantly, she handed the book to Chief Viren and muttered. "It appears Sorcery is not meant for me. You should try it too; perhaps you can be the one…"
After that, she stayed still where she sat, observing with an emotionless face.
Chief Viren held the book with a lot of care, more carefully than before.
Alfred couldn't comprehend the situation.
'Is magic real in this world? Is that why the Elders see the book as something important?'
With a lot of hesitation, Chief Viren copied Shaman Catori. When his blood landed on the page, all eyes watched it with curiosity, wondering if the book would accept it.
To everyone's disappointment, the result was the same.
Nevertheless, the authoritative old man didn't seem depressed, as if he had already anticipated the outcome.
"With my weary body, it would be a miracle if this amazing book chose me." Chief Viren smilingly accepted. "This book will only be a waste for an old man like me anyway."
Following that, Chief Viren looked Elder Ahote in the eyes, but before he could say anything, Elder Ahote shook his head.
"I have no interest in that kind of thing," he confidently uttered. "That book is not ours to begin with. Why not give it to the young man and let him try?"
Chief Viren glanced at the old book and then smiled. "Of course, we have been greedy."
Alfred had different thoughts, though.
'Why me? I don't want to. Please don't give it to me. Please!'
However, his wishful thinking remained wishful thinking the moment Chief Viren handed him the worn-out book.
"Here, young Alfred, why not try it yourself?" the Chieftain calmly suggested.
An idea of rejecting it popped into his head, but when his sight grazed onto Vir's face, he realized that he should do everything to make himself useful. Because if not, people who did not like him would do anything to kick him out.
"I understand; I will try it too." He hesitantly reached out his hand and grabbed the book together with the sharp bone. "I don't know if this is going to work. If this book is mine, I should have done this before, after all."
'Ahh, I hate needles. Why do I need to do this?'
Closing his eyes, Alfred thrust the bone into his index finger. His blood flowed out of his broken skin, slid on his finger, and then fell towards the book.
Soon, as everyone's eyes followed the blood, Alfred's heart was on the brink of exploding due to the anxiety he was feeling.
He knew nothing would happen, but part of him hoped for something. If he succeeded, the chance of his staying inside the tribe, far from the beast he encountered, would skyrocket.
Finally, upon his blood hitting the yellow page, his heart stopped for a second.
1… 2… 3… Nothing transpired.
Alfred's heart suddenly began racing, his heartbeat echoing into his eardrums. He could already imagine himself being thrown out of the tribe.
However, before he could fully dive into oblivion once again, a bright light illuminated everything…