Roy Clasped the magic crystal tightly in his hand in agreement "If I didn't know better I would have thought you were some kind of tycoon with the way you throw around magic crystals".
"No one would ever apply to join the reserve unit if they where a tycoon Desmond is just a spendthrift just like lance".
Lance rebuked John's statement since comparing Lance with Desmond is like comparing the life of a young bachelor to a married man. "There is no way I'm anything like Desmond I might waste my money on a bunch of stuff related to magic, but I rarely buy them.
Desmond once told me he practical purchased every book on magic he could get his hands on in a book store he goes to. There is no way I could do what he does even with the extra money I get from being apart of the reserve unit I only make about 11 magic crystal's a year".
John and Roy knew Desmond had some money to burn, but buying books on magic wasn't a wise investment unless a family had someone gifted in magic.
John a bit worried that his friend's obsession would drive him to become homeless said "Desmond even if you do have some extra money on hand you shouldn't waste it like this. I know you like magic but unless you have reached rank one magic crystals don't come easy. Even that's not enough to satisfy their needs once you reach rank 1 you need ten times the amount you earn to get all the things you would need".
Desmond knew if he kept spending money the way he was it was all eventually going to run out. Buying the magic items and books he wanted was going to be expensive and working an honest job with a shit pay was also not going to happen.
Killing someone and taking their stuff again wasn't going to work the chances of him getting caught were significantly higher. Its all because he used Secret Visage's name making the DCPD shit themselves in fear that he manages to make people not want to take up the case. Which he regrets doing, but had no choice in the matter so it inevitably lead to a visit from the Mirror Man.
While his financial situation is a problem Desmond didn't have to worry about it too much for one simple reason he came from Earth. Desmond has no shortage of stories to tell or things to invent that he could actually do even better on Theotera than on Earth because while their style is reminiscent of the 1920s from Desmond's old planet their technology is far superior.
When he was pinned to his bathroom wall by the Mirror Man Desmond had already thought about doing it. He found it hard knowing that the people around him have never seen or heard of the things he has. The act of sheding a tear to the works of true masters and geniuses is not pitiful or a sign of weakness it's liberating.
Freeing the people of this world from their own ignorance is how Desmond justifies stealing other people's works and inventions. So that he would never end up in a similar position where he says his last words to someone, but they didn't get the reference or joke he was trying to make.
Having his last words written off by the Mirror Man scared Desmond to the point he made making sure everyone gets every joke he makes his life's second goal.
Desmond placed his hand on John's should as he assured John everything thing was alright since he already had a plan. Almost forgetting to ask, Desmond looked over at lance and said, "you like magic so do you want to come with me to the library for a little study session I'll pay?".
Lance's eyes lit up when he heard Desmond's offer then they were filled with gloom "Thanks for the offer Desmond, but I have to get to my job at the Public Library in district B. Working there is the only way I can get into contact with magic books and not have to pay. What they have isn't as fancy as the military but its better than nothing".
Desmond sighed in sadness "its a shame I really needed someone to help carry all the stacks of papers".
"You only wanted me to come to carry your notes". Lance had a look of someone holding back their anger before they smack you over the head.
"it's the least you could do since I would be paying for everything if I carry everything by myself my back is going to give out before I get home It's not like I have Roy's crazy strength". Desmond pointed over towards a large stack of blank papers in a bag along with large jars of ink his finger drew everyone's gaze in that direction as they shook there heads at the sight.
John weakly smiling at the large stack Desmond had piled up simply had to know "how do you plan on filling all those?"
"I can manipulate the ink with a water spell I learned while I was inside the library I found a few books on how to do the same thing just better. So now if you give me a book I can copy the whole thing in a few minutes I'm practically a printing press. The only problem is my trick can't be used for enchanting yet because enchanting is more than just copying something down".
"won't you run out of magic in a few minutes your only a beginner apprentice so you shouldn't have much magic". Replied Roy.
Desmond waved off everyone's concerns "it's fine I regain magic faster than I expend it with that spell".
With everyone but himself having something to do, John went back home while Roy and Lance went to work and Desmond stayed at the camp's library.
Then next few chapters will be a bit tame but I need them to set up a few events I have planned