Read Novel Full Chapter 295: Book Heist
Chapter 295: Book Heist
"Sweet."
Noah reached towards the glass case, his hand hovering just an inch above its smooth surface.
He hesitated, staring at the book inside. Was this all the protection it really had?
And so, he lowered his palm, testing the barrier.
The moment his fingers brushed the glass, a loud crackle of energy surged through it. Blue-white lightning arced out, striking his skin.
"Ah!" He jerked back, the sting shooting up his arm. The smell of ozone filled the air. He shook his hand, flexing his fingers to numb the burn.
"So much for subtle," he muttered under his breath.
The protective enchantment was powerful and reactive, possibly layered with elemental wards. Simply smashing the glass wasn’t an option. But neither was leaving the book behind.
His gaze swept the room, taking in the tall, narrow shelves that lined the restricted section. Each was filled with old, dust-covered tomes, their spines cracked and fading.
He needed a solution. Something that wouldn’t raise immediate suspicion when someone eventually came to check.
If someone noticed the case was empty, they’d start investigating. But if it looked full...
A plan began to take shape.
He moved down one of the aisles, scanning the books. He could see titles like Histories of the Lower Abyss, Arcane Constructs of the First Era, and The Twelve Seals glinting faintly in the weak lamplight.
Then, on the bottom shelf, he spotted it. A black leather volume nearly identical in size and color to the one in the case. The only difference was a faded silver emblem instead of gold.
"Perfect," he murmured.
He pulled it free and returned to the glass case. The stand holding The Chronicle was a rotating one. It was fully decorative, meant to display the book’s front.
Noah gripped its edges and carefully turned it, rotating it so the back of the case now faced him. Now, the part of the glass case that had been close to the wall was exposed before him.
This was where he’d make his opening.
He raised his hand, creating the spell formation and casting Rot.
A thin beam of black energy lanced out, striking the back of the case. The lightning immediately flared to life again, blue arcs spider-webbing across the surface as the spell fizzled.
Noah grimaced. "You really don’t want to let go, do you?"
He placed both hands forward this time. Three glowing spell formations appeared in the air before him, each rotating slowly, the identical circles of runes stacked one atop the other.
The air around him grew colder, the light dimming as the layered mana thickened.
"Let’s see you stop this," he whispered.
All three formations flashed at once.
The spell struck. The lightning shrieked against it, flaring brighter for a moment before collapsing inward.
The resistance broke like glass under pressure. In seconds, the entire back pane dissolved into fine gray dust.
Noah coughed softly, brushing the dust aside. "That’s better."
He reached into the case and lifted The Chronicle of the Deep with careful hands. The air around the book felt faintly heavy, as though it was holding something within it.
He studied the book for a moment, then slid the decoy book into its place. Then with a grunt, he pushed the stand back in place, the missing pane of glass now facing the wall.
He stepped back to inspect his work. From the front, it looked untouched. The stand’s positioning hid the missing glass entirely.
Anyone glancing in would see only a book inside a case. Only under close inspection would someone notice that the glass case no longer sparked with warding energy.
Satisfied, Noah tucked The Chronicle of the Deep into his spatial ring.
He turned, walking back towards the gate. Before leaving, he closed the iron bars and manually clicked the lock back in place.
He smiled, checking his handiwork. It was perfect. No one would suspect he’d been there. And so, he turned, heading to the door.
By the time he reached the main entrance of the library, he paused, glancing once more at the door he’d entered through.
"Almost too easy," he muttered.
He raised his hand, releasing the Pocket Cube.
The air shimmered behind the door, and the two guards reappeared in the same positions they had been before, confused and afraid.
Noah smirked when he heard their panicked yells, then teleported before they could think to check inside the library.
He reappeared back inside the bathroom where he’d started and took a slow breath, adjusting his collar.
Then...
Knock, knock.
A soft rap sounded against the bathroom door.
"Excuse me, sir? Are you quite all right in there?"
Noah blinked once, then composed himself.
"It’s just—" the attendant hesitated, sounding apologetic. "You’ve been inside for a while, and others are waiting to use the room."
Noah let a smile cross his face. "My apologies. I’ll be out shortly."
He gave himself a final glance in the mirror, his jacket straight, cravat neat, and expression calm, before unlocking the door.
When he stepped out, the attendant was waiting, looking slightly anxious but relieved.
"All yours," Noah said pleasantly, brushing past him with a smile.
He walked back through the long, gilded corridors towards the grand hall. The air had changed, becoming louder now, alive with movement and murmured conversation.
By the time he stepped inside, the space was filled nearly to capacity. Every seat seemed occupied.
Nobles in embroidered coats and fine dresses filled the rows. Servants moved quietly between them, offering refreshments.
At the front, sunlight streamed through tall stained-glass windows, casting patterns of red and gold across the floor.
Noah returned to his seat in the middle rows, sliding in quietly. No one seemed to notice his brief absence.
A few moments later, the crowd’s noise dimmed as one of the lords climbed the dais. He turned to face the crowd, raising his hands for attention.
"Esteemed guests," he announced, his voice echoing across the hall, "please be seated. The coronation of Her Royal Highness, Princess Ines Pendragon, is about to begin."