Chapter 10:

The Arcane Language of the Elders.

I'm Basically The Strongest


Inside Tiamat's head, a jumble of thoughts tumbled around like misbehaving little dragons. The proud and mighty dragon struggled to keep his dignity, but the situation demanded he swallow his pride.

"Well, there's no going back now," he thought, feeling a bit like a hatchling taking its first steps.

"I should act polite," Tiamat told himself. "Let's not scare away the librarian just yet."

"Maybe if I don't roar at him," Tiamat pondered,

"I could learn something from this peculiar little human."

He cleared his throat, his usual booming voice reduced to a soft, almost sheepish tone.

"Excuse me, good sir. Might you share your findings with this humble stranger?" He added an attempt at a smile.

"Here I am," he thought, "the grand and formidable Tiamat, the dragon of legends, trying not to scare away a librarian like... like a kitten trying to befriend a fierce mountain lion."

As he spoke, Tiamat felt like a bear attempting ballet. "I'm supposed to be the embodiment of might, and here I am, politely asking a librarian for help, like a bear asking a bee for honey."

Despite his struggles, Tiamat's desire for knowledge and a potential boost to his power pushed him forward. "I'll do it for the greater good," he mused, comparing himself to a dragon in a tuxedo trying to fit into a cramped phone booth.

In his mind, Ryuken was genuinely impressed by the book and couldn't help but appreciate the author's talent. He thought,

"The writing in this book is superb. Every word is carefully chosen, and the author's descriptions are so vivid that they truly bring the story to life. Reading this is an absolute pleasure, and it's a welcome escape from the mundane life I had on Earth."

Ryuken, with a curious expression, inquired, "Where did you come across this book?"

Tiamat, his voice carrying the wisdom of ages, replied, "I discovered it within an ancient tomb, nestled near a frozen lake amidst the towering mountains."

How odd it is to place a book like this in an ancient tomb.

Ryuken, with a quizzical expression, turned to Tiamat and asked,

"Have you had the chance to delve into this book?"

Tiamat, his eyes betraying a hint of frustration, replied,

"I did attempt to peruse its contents, but alas, it confounded my understanding. The words within seem to possess an enigmatic power, far beyond my grasp."

As Ryuken observed Tiamat's puzzled expression and listened to his response, a thought formed in his mind. It seemed clear to him that the dragon had read the second volume of the manga and was now grappling with the story's continuity.

Inwardly, Ryuken chuckled at the situation. He recognized that reading only the second part of a story could indeed be confusing, as it left out vital information from the first volume. He considered how this misunderstanding might have contributed to Tiamat's bafflement and the need for clarification.

Amused by the situation, Ryuken mused to himself, "Well, that explains the confusion. Reading the second volume before the first can certainly make things enigmatic. I'll need to help him fill in the enigmatic gaps and put the pieces together."

"Hold on for a moment. I think there should be a first part of the book here."

"If he's already started with the second volume, it's no wonder he's confused. Let's find the first part and clear up this enigma for him."

Tiamat waited patiently, his mind filled with questions about the library and the librarian, Ryuken.

"This library is unlike any place I've ever seen. What kind of being is a librarian? Is this library even part of this world? There's something peculiar about this place and the librarian. I must find out more."

Meanwhile, Ryuken goes back to search for the first volume.

Ryuken pondered his task as he walked through the vast library.

"This library is massive. Finding that book could take hours, and I have a guest waiting. It's essential to locate the first part of the book the man mentioned. I hope the system's guidance will lead me to it. Time to explore and see where this journey takes me."

Ryuken was puzzled by the sudden appearance of the window with a yellow arrow. He thought to himself,

"What's going on? Is this a feature of the library, or is it something else entirely? Well, it seems to be pointing me in a direction. I'll follow it and see where it leads. This library never ceases to surprise me."

After a while. Ryuken found the first part of the book and couldn't help but appreciate the system's guidance and the unfolding scenario.

"Thank you, system. You've made this quest more manageable. Now, I can bring this back to the man."

As Tiamat continued to inspect the library, he suddenly felt a chilling aura that sent shivers down his massive, dragon-like spine. The air around him seemed to grow heavy, and an uneasy feeling crept over him. Just then, Ryuken returned, holding a book in his hand.

Ryuken's appearance had transformed. His countenance seemed more menacing, his eyes exuding an air of dominance. He appeared like a formidable figure, someone not to be trifled with. Tiamat couldn't help but feel a sense of awe mixed with trepidation in the presence of this enigmatic librarian who had suddenly turned into a formidable entity.

Ryuken smiled.

"You might want to read this book to better understand the one you lent me. It'll give you the background and context you need."

Tiamat nodded.

Tiamat looked down at the book that Ryuken was holding, and he saw it undergo a transformation, its appearance changing into an ancient, menacing-looking tome with the title "The Arcane Language of the Elders." On Ryuken's side, it still appeared as the first volume of his favorite series.

Tiamat couldn't help but let out a big grin as he gazed upon the transformed book. He knew this was it, the real deal. he confirmed that this book held the key to the ancient knowledge he sought, a piece of the puzzle that might help him regain his lost powers and prestige. It was a moment of triumph, and he couldn't be happier about his discovery.

"It's truly the one I've been searching for! This ancient and cryptic text may hold the key to restoring my powers. Finally, my quest might come to an end."

Ryuken couldn't help but smile as he observed Tiamat's reaction. It was clear that they shared a mutual appreciation for the book. It felt good to find someone who could understand his passion for it.

"I can't believe it! I've actually met someone here who appreciates the same book that has been my escape for so long. What are the odds? It's like finding a kindred spirit in this mysterious library. This is amazing!"

Tiamat, with a smile, asked, "My newfound friend, may I inquire about the origin of this fascinating tome?"

Tiamat's question made Ryuken hesitate for a moment. He couldn't possibly tell the truth, revealing that the book was from his home world, Japan. He thought about how cool Tiamat's explanation of where he found the second volume was.

He didn't want to disappoint the dragon with a mundane answer like "it's from my boring home world." So, with a nervous smile, he decided to go along with the mystery.

"Ah, well, let's just say I stumbled upon it in an Ancient place, it's a place I cannot revisit."

Tiamat observed Ryuken's response

"An ancient place... This man must have some connection to an ancient civilization."

Tiamat smiled and couldn't help but feel intrigued by Ryuken's existence. The idea that this man had connections to an ancient civilization was quite a remarkable revelation. He pondered on the implications of such a background.

"How truly terrifying this man is," Tiamat thought to himself.

"To have ties to an ancient world... It's as if he holds the secrets of countless millennia. There's something enigmatic about this man's past, something that goes beyond ordinary understanding."

Tiamat couldn't help but be both excited and apprehensive about what this encounter might bring. The ancient dragon had always prided himself on his knowledge and experience, but Ryuken's connection to the past was something else entirely. It was an enigma, a puzzle waiting to be unraveled. And Tiamat was more than eager to explore this enigmatic aspect of Ryuken's life.

Ryuken decided to change the topic, and he looked at the stranger.

"By the way," he said, "I've been calling you 'the stranger.' May I know your name?"

The proud dragon, with a regal smile, finally revealed his name.

"I am Tiamat," he announced.

Ryuken decided to share his name as well, "I'm Ryuken, Pleasure to meet you, Tiamat."

Tiamat inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment. "The pleasure is mine, Ryuken. It's not often that I meet someone like you."

Their conversation continued, with both individuals finding themselves intrigued by the other's enigmatic presence.

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