Orsted taught Tifa the Sun Breathing.
Sun Breathing would be taught to all members who joined the Hestia Familia.
Without Sun Breathing, it would be nearly impossible for the Familia to grow fast.
For now, he would take it one step at a time.
If new methods to quickly improve strength became available in the future, Orsted would teach them to ensure they could grow faster.
The next morning, Hestia and Lili took Tifa out to explore Orario and prepare the equipment she would need for her upcoming adventures.
As for Orsted, he stayed behind to gather materials for crafting a Grimoire.
The main material for a Grimoire was, of course, books—but not just any books.
They needed to be specially processed to withstand large amounts of mana.
This kind of book was typically only sold in Altena.
Orsted couldn't just leave Orario and travel all the way to Altena.
Fortunately, with his development abilities, Orsted could craft such books himself.
He planned to purchase books and materials.
Orsted wasn't very familiar with Orario, so it took him a while to find a bookstore that sold the materials he needed.
The bookstore was quite large, with two floors and a steady stream of customers browsing the shelves.
Orsted didn't bother with the shelves and went straight to the counter.
"Grandpa, can I order blank books here?" Orsted asked the bookstore owner, an elderly man with gray hair and a beard.
The books used to craft Grimoires couldn't have any text, as written content would interfere with the process and cause errors.
However, blank books were rare—who would make books without text for no reason?
So, to obtain such books, Orsted had to place a custom order through the bookstore.
Bookstore owners typically had their own channels for such requests.
Hearing Orsted's question, the old man looked at him with a strange expression.
The strangeness wasn't due to Orsted's request for blank books but something else—
"What's wrong?" Orsted asked, feeling slightly uncomfortable under the old man's gaze.
"Nothing, just a bit surprised."
"I happen to have a batch here. Would you like some?" the old man replied, shaking his head.
As he spoke, he crouched down and placed a wooden box on the counter.
Inside the box were several blank books with simple, unadorned covers.
Now it was Orsted's turn to be surprised.
He gave the old man a curious look.
What bookstore would stock such obviously specialized blank books?
Though puzzled, Orsted didn't press the matter.
After agreeing on a price with the old man, Orsted paid and left with the wooden box.
What Orsted didn't know was that half an hour after he left, another figure entered the bookstore.
"Do you have any more blank books?"
The newcomer had pointed ears, a delicate and beautiful face, and a calm demeanor.
Her long green hair was tied back, and she wore a cloak that concealed her attire.
If Orsted had been there, he would have recognized her immediately.
Riveria Ljos Alf, one of the three executives of the Loki Familia and the city's strongest mage, known as the Nine Hells.
"Riveria, you know you can't make a Grimoire. Just give up," the old man said, clearly familiar with her.
"That's not your concern."
"Do you have any books left?" Riveria replied calmly, ignoring his advice.
"No, there were some earlier."
"But they were bought by one of your people half an hour ago," the old man said with a helpless shake of his head.
"Someone else bought them?" Riveria was visibly surprised.
"Yes, probably another elf trying to make a Grimoire, just like you."
"The boy looked quite young."
"It'd be a shame if he got caught up in this. It could ruin his future," the old man added regretfully.
Blank books weren't popular because the only people who bought them were those attempting to craft Grimoires.
The old man hadn't sold such items before.
It wasn't until ten years ago, when Riveria asked him to order blank books, that he started stocking them.
Over the past decade, he had watched Riveria tirelessly attempt to create Grimoires.
However, crafting a Grimoire required two specific Development Abilities: Mage and Mystery.
While he didn't know what Riveria's Development Abilities were, her lack of success over ten years told him everything he needed to know.
Riveria clearly didn't meet the conditions to craft a Grimoire.
Now, it seemed another elf had embarked on the same path.
Thinking of Riveria's decade-long struggle, the old man couldn't help but feel sorry for Orsted, who had just started down this road.
Hearing the old man's words, Riveria frowned slightly.
"Order some more for me."
"I'll pick them up in two days."
"Also, if that boy comes back, please ask him about his situation for me."
"Yes, yes, I'll get right on it," the old man replied.
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