Vampire Reborn

Chapter 38: House of Knowledge (3)

"Hmm? Is there a problem Havel? Are you not satisfied with your task? If you have any gripes do please let me know..." Raven's voice was relaxed, yet the shift in attitude from Havel was instant.

"Oh! No! Th-There is no problem!"

"Good, that's what I wanted to hear Teaching and learning are two different arts yet on different sides of the same coin. Your first true task will be to teach this illiterate man how to read and write, help him in any way you can. To you it might seem tedious, underwhelming, unnecessary even. But, trust me, it is something not many know how to do well and might aid you in the future."

"Yes boss, I I understand You're right, I am too impatient and got my hopes up too unrealistically" He lowered his head out of respect and calmed his nerves. "Now, how long would I need to be his tutor?"

"Until he's fluent," Raven flipped through another page of his book and casually released a puff of smoke from his pipe.

"P-pardon" Havel's eyes almost popped out of their sockets, and his anxiety returned in full.

"Didn't you hear me the first time? I said until he's fluent! I care not how long it takes, could be days, weeks, months or years, as long as he is willing to learn, this will be your task. Understood?!"

Raven lowered his book and witnessed as his words sucked the life out of Havel, seemingly breaking his mind as he tried to fathom what he had just been ordered to do.

"Yes sir U-Understood"

"Hey, boy, this is your chance to finally prove yourself to me! This challenge is only as tough as you are. Once you manage to do it, I promise to teach you something special like a new spell. How does that sound?"

"R-really?" He slowly raised his head and finally met Raven's smiling expression.

"Indeed, a promise is a promise. And, speaking of promises, young Havel, I have something I need you to promise me"

"Yes, boss? I'm willing to do anything!" Havel slightly shook his head and reaffirmed his gaze.

"Come close, I need to tell you something in private"

"Understood!" Havel lifted his head and slowly strode over towards Raven's desk.

From afar, Alucard watched as the two conversed in a tone that even he could not detect. It was only a few words exchanged before they separated, yet they were more than enough to pique his interest. If only he had walked a few steps closer, he was certain to be able to overhear them. Nonetheless, he felt no regret, but instead a great sense of relief. he would not be as a cat would and allow his curiosity to make him enter forbidden, trouble-prone boundaries.

"Now both of you leave me be! I have a book to finish! Good luck to you Havel, I know this will be a long, difficult journey but I'm certain you can pull through, and good luck to you as well Alucard"

"Thank you Raven. This truly means a lot," Alucard closed his eyes and deeply bowed, receiving a slight nod and a chuckle from the man ahead who once again lifted his book and read on.

When Alucard opened his eyes and stood up straight, he was met with the face of his new, soon-to-be mentor. His mouth was open and his face looked stiff. His expression was rather odd, like he was annoyed and wanted to say something but couldn't bring himself to do it.

"Sir Havel, I'm ready, please teach me!" Alucard showed him the proper respect and spoke, which seemed to have snapped him out of his daze.

"Oh-oh yes, Alucard Please follow me" He took a deep breath and turned his head away, taking the lead as he marched in front, Alucard following him not too far behind.

"Hmph, I wonder how that duo will end up,"Raven lowered his book as he peered over towards the two figures walking away in the distance before smirking and once again immersing himself in his reading.

The two men walked around in the vastness of the library. There were many eyes in their direction. Yet, It was to be expected, after all, Alucard was one of a kind, like a shiny pokemon walking amidst the regulars.

Alucard did not have much time to admire the book covers and architecture of the library as before he knew it, they had already reached their destination.

"Sit here, I've already picked out a book." Havel sighed and spoke.

In front of them was a standard wooden table with two seats adjacently placed. However, that was nothing out of the ordinary, what was truly special was a certain dome surrounding the table. It was a translucent white swirling around, like a white ocean of magic.

"What's the matter? Walk in," Havel was the one who took the first step, sitting on the table.

Alucard was intrigued by the dome of magic ahead of him, so he tested it out with his hands before he fully entered almost as though there was no barrier there.

"What," Alucard's eyes grew wide when he set foot in such a space. The obscure bustling nature of the library was removed, and was now replaced with an eerie silence unmatched by any noise-cancelling technology of his age. It was quiet, far too quiet in fact.

"Huh? Have you never been in a noise-cancelling bubble?"

"Apologies, I have not How is this made? Is it a spell?" Alucard replied.

"Spell? I suppose so It's from a magic item embedded in this table,"

"What kind of magic item? Are there tiers to this?"

"Certainly, this is a simple uncommon grade item. Anyways, enough asking questions, please take a seat so we can finally begin!"

"Yes sir," Alucard nodded and took a seat beside Havel, fully prepared for whatever was to come next.

Havel lifted his right arm and took out a book, one that was rather thin and light and slammed it on the table.

"What kind of book is that?"

"We're gonna start all the way from the beginning. This is what's known as a "fundamentals book,". it's used to teach noble children about their letters, but for our purposes, it will serve more than well. Every word is compromised of letters, some letters are special, like vowels; they make different sounds depending on the situation. There are twenty-six letters and..."

Havel continued to ramble on and on about the basics of a language that were mostly common knowledge for a man such as Alucard. Yet, he had to continue to feign ignorance and listen on. Indeed, there might be new information specific to this world and he could not expose that he was eloquent in another language.

In the end, he was stunned at all the similarities he noticed between English and the language Havel was describing known as "The human tongue,".In fact, as he listened, his zest only grew to finally start learning. Nevertheless, there was still indeed a sizable chunk of information that was quite new to him, information that he now kept fresh and brewing in his mind.

"That's the basics. Did you get all that or do you want me to repeat?"

"No need, I fully understood,"

"Very well," Havel sighed. "Then let us finally begin" He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, finally opening the book placed on the table to the first page where it showed an obscure, swirly symbol that Alucard had never seen in his life along with a matching picture of what seemed like a fruit just as strange.

And thus began Alucard's literary journey in the human tongue...