[ WP ] Upon graduation from the University of Magic , each student is allowed to take one tome from the Arcane Library which immediately bestows all its knowledge onto the owner . You discover a tome that seems to have been overlooked .

The door creaked lightly on its hinges as it swung open. Light filtered into the dark room, illuminating pillars of dust that kicked up from the movement of the door. 
 
 `` Hello?'' 
 
 I heard nothing. As my eyes adjusted to the dimness, I could make out a number of bookshelves, haphazardly stacked with books. The titles on their spines were covered by thick layers of dust, many of their covers were torn, wrinkled with what must have been decades of wear. As I proceeded slowly through row after row of books, I heard I faint noise coming from the corner of the library. I could make out soft steps, the slight shuffle of slippers along the cold hardwood floor. 
 
 `` Come for a tome have we?'' 
 
 Not unlike a shadow, an older gentlemen slid into view from behind a shelf to my left. He looked tired. But it was a satisified kind of tired, almost as if the light behind his eyes told me far more then his words ever would. I could n't keep my voice from trembling, eventually I managaed to sputter out, 
 
 `` Well, yes sir it's my graduation.'' 
 
 `` Of course of course.'' He replied, somewhat disinterested. `` I'm sure you've been told how this works no? One book, that's all you get. One book, instant knowledge. Take your pick.'' 
 
 I turned to examine the shelf nearest to me, feeling his uneasy gaze penetrating my back. I brushed the dust off a few of the books closest to me. *The Potency of Petrification. * *Eagles and Their Importance in Anglo-Human Literature. * *A Complete Guide to the Flora and Fauna of Subterranean Venus. * That last one certainly seemed interesting. I reached to grab it off the shelf, but something stopped me. 
 
 `` How exactly does this work?'' I asked. `` If I take a book off the shelf, or open it, is that my choice?'' 
 
 The old man studied me for a moment before responding, 
 
 `` Ah, a cautious one. Wise question to ask. You may read any book you please, as many pages as you desire. Once you leave the library with a tome, that is your choice, you may not change it.'' 
 
 I picked up *A Complete Guide to the Flora and Fauna of Subterranean Venus*. After flipping through a number of pages, reading small exerpts here and there, I decided this probably was n't the one for me. It was certainly interesting, but I had a career to think about. The most use I could find for this book was, well I'd probably get the odd obscure question at Trivia Tuesdays down at the pub. I kept looking. *Advanced Glassblowing Techniques*. *The Art of Flight: A Comprehensive Guide to Not Falling*. *The Complete History of Dragons and Other Flying Lizards*. Again I leafed through a few pages, stopping at random places to see if anything might interest me. The old man had barely moved a muscle since his appearance. Curiousity overcame me. 
 
 `` What did you choose?'' 
 
 `` Hmmm?'' He responded, as if he had n't been listening. 
 
 `` You must have chosen a tome when you graduated, whenever that might have been. What tome did you choose?'' 
 
 `` Oh. Right. Yes. My tome. If I'm being completely honest with you young man, I've not yet chosen a tome, I find myself to be quite indecisive.'' 
 
 Taken aback, I reshelved the tome I was holding and stepped closer to the old man. He was hunched over, perched on a walking cane he held with one hand. His other hand was tightly clutching a cloth book bag that appeared to be filled with everything other than books. Small spectacles perched precariously on the tip of his nose, and as he looked up at me, I could see his eyes become globes through their magnification. He looked at me expectantly, as if our conversation was not finished and he would like it to be. 
 
 `` If I may ask, how long ago did you graduate? Why did you never chose a tome?'' 
 
 `` Oh I had meant to yes. Much like you I was cautious, wary. I wanted a tome that would advance my career, or help me help people. Something that would make a difference. I came and went from the library many times. There's no limit you see. You do n't have to choose immediately, so I waited. I got a job, a wife, a home, a family. I lived.'' 
 
 The old man took a longing glance sideways before continuing. 
 
 `` I forgot about the tome. My life went on, my wife passed, my son too. I was grasped by the tendrils of tragedy for a time. I buried myself in work, until I retired. It was then, during one of my many days of reflection that I recalled the Arcane Library- that I had never taken a tome. So I came back, browsing, reading through everything I could get my hands on, looking for the absolute perfect selection. As long as I searched, I found nothing to cure my pain, my sorrow and loss. Many things I have learned though, how I could help people, make their lives better if I only had the time to do it over again.'' 
 
 The old man continued on for a time, but with each sentence he drifted further from the present and deeper into memory, until he was so far gone that he was merely mumbling incoherently. Eventually he shuffled off to a corner where he sat down and closed his eyes, falling asleep with his cane in one hand and his bag in the other. 
 
 I continued my own search. The old man had given me much to think about. I did n't have to choose now, I could always come back. And yet the sooner I picked my tome, the sooner I could utilize its knowledge for... I still had no idea. It must have been hours I spent in that library, scanning endless volumes of potions manuals and history texts. Just as I was walking from row of shelves to the next, my foot caught a loose nail in the floorboards, and I soon found my face firmly acquainted with the ground. As the throbbing in my temple subsided, I could see a small shape under the shelf in front of me. 
 
 I reached out and grabbed it. Cobwebs stuck to my fingers and small piles of dust parted as I dragged it along the floor. Once I had it firmly in my grasp, I stood up and blew the remaining dust from its cover. In fairly plain black text the title read: *Secrets of Eternal Youth*. 
 
 I sat for hours, tirelessly memorizing every page. Once I had finished, I quietly walked over to where the old man was sleeping, and slipped the small tome into his linen book bag. With that, I gently shook him awake and suggested he head home for the day. As reached the door, and swung it open on its creaky hinges, he looked back and gave me a small nod. He stepped through frame, and instantaneously I could see a change in his posture. As the door slowly creaked shut, I watched the old man run furiously down the hallway, and listened to the quickened tap of his cane with every stride. 
 
 I hardly recognized him the next time I saw him. He was tall, hair as black as charcoal and skin as smooth as silk. The only thing that gave him away was his eyes, those vast pools of knowledge still held that same alure that I had glimpsed in them when we first met. 
 
 Anyways, we're both practically immortal now. We've started a book club. Sure, so far there are only two members, but we're holding a free info session next week!
