Chapter 38 - The Magic Otaku Goes to the Library
"I want to go somewhere."
The day after Ruria and I had become the playthings of that perverted woman, Miss Elisha, Ruria murmured this softly on our way back to the dorms after class. It was rare for my usually quiet childhood friend to speak up on her own. I glanced at her profile as she walked beside me. Her expression was as blank as ever, but I could see a faint shadow—a touch of gloom—clouding her refined features.
A famous singer was once met with roaring applause for singing, “I want to go somewhere,” but who was it that sang, “I want to run away somewhere”? As I pondered such useless things, Ruria’s half-lidded eyes shot me a sharp look. Oops. She must have said that for me to hear.
"Somewhere, you say, but we first-years are basically forbidden from leaving the academy grounds."
As I spoke, I glanced around at the friends walking with us toward the dorm. Roche and Isak nodded silently, but Miss Elisha, touching a finger to her lips in a thoughtful pose, replied.
"Even within the academy, how about a place we don't usually visit? For example, wouldn't the Great Library be lovely?"
At her words, Ruria's eyes widened ever so slightly. Oh, right. I’d forgotten the academy had a facility like that. When I’d asked Librarian Laila at the temple in the capital before coming to this academy city, she’d mentioned that its collection boasted a number of books that made the temple's library look like a broom closet.
It had been about two months since I’d enrolled, and with so much happening, I had completely forgotten. But it had been one of the places I’d wanted to visit. We were just on our way back to the dorms after class, so we had some free time. We probably couldn't stay long, but a quick peek shouldn't be a problem.
Besides, ever since the topic of the Great Library came up, Ruria had been tugging on my sleeve, silently pleading to go. She must have been stressed out from being hounded by that ill-natured woman lately (and I was a good part of the reason for that). For a change of pace, it was probably best for the two of us to go to the Great Library.
"Alright, let's go check out the library."
When I said that, Ruria silently nodded again and again. Now, the problem was… I glanced past Ruria, but Miss Elisha offered one of her rare, gentle smiles. "That would be for the best. We shall return to the dorms first, so please be careful not to stay out too late, won't you?" she said, sounding very much like a responsible older sister.
That was a bit of a surprise. I was sure she would insist on coming with us. Or perhaps even she realized she couldn't cause a scene inside a library and gave up on the idea of clinging to us. Is she a woman who is honest about her desires, or one who is capable of consideration? I really can't tell anymore.
Well, women have always been an enigma to men. Even if I thought I understood Miss Elisha, I probably didn't understand anything at all. Waving goodbye to my friends, I took Ruria and headed for the Great Library at the back of the academy.
I knew where it was from the orientation, but this was my first time actually visiting the Great Library, located in the furthest part of the academy grounds. Set a little apart from the other buildings and surrounded by a grove of trees, the massive structure sat in quiet repose. It was easily as large as the academy's main building, and its facade, featuring two spires that pierced the heavens, somehow reminded me of the Cologne Cathedral I had seen in photos in my past life.
Of course, the scale was completely different—the cathedral was much larger—but there was a reason it came to mind. This building was certainly a library, but I also felt, somehow, that it was a temple erected to celebrate knowledge and magic. The grand main doors reinforced this feeling, with a carving of Isis, the Goddess of Magic, on the left door, and one of Jefuty, the God of Hermits, on the right.
Ruria and I spoke to the guards stationed on either side of the doors and had them open the gate for us. Not yesterday, but the day before yesterday, guards who had previously only patrolled at night were now stationed to watch the entrances of major facilities. It seemed they couldn’t just do nothing after an assassination attempt. I heard that access to the Guest Hall was now under particularly strict surveillance.
Speaking of the assassination commotion, the perpetrator, Melek Halali, and his family were apparently pardoned and are moving to the capital. I heard he's going to work as an intelligence operative under my father. He should have faced the death penalty, but instead he was acquitted and even his wife and child were saved. I’m told he’s incredibly motivated to repay his debt to the Arcalai family and me. I just hope he doesn't overdo it and make his wife and child sad again.
With such thoughts in my mind, we passed through the grand doors and entered the entrance hall. To the left was a long reception counter where a woman in a robe with an armband sat. To the far right was a staircase leading to the upper floors, and along the other walls were several sets of chairs and low tables. The entrance somehow reminded me of a bank or government office from my past life.
On the opposite wall, there was a double door in the center, with another guard stationed there. The bookshelves were likely beyond those doors. Ruria and I walked over to the reception counter, intending to speak to the staff member, but the moment our eyes met, she gave us a bright smile and spoke first.
"Welcome, you cute little students. Is this your first time at the library?"
Wow, she was a new type of older woman. Her wavy, bright-blonde hair was tied back carelessly, making her seem like the type who didn't care about her appearance at first glance. However, her robe was wrinkle-free, and her hands resting on the counter were neatly manicured down to the fingertips. Her large, almond-shaped eyes were a beautiful sky-blue, but it was a shame they were half-closed in a slightly languid manner.
No, that's not right. Staring at a woman I've just met is bad manners. More importantly, the pressure emanating from my side was growing stronger.
"We're first-years, Saki Adoni Arcalai and Ruria Sharon. This is our first time at the library, so could you please explain how to use it?"
"So you two are the rumored first-years. Well, we don't get many students this tiny, so I figured as much. You're famous among us librarians, you know. They say there's a first-year student so brilliant they might just rewrite the academy's history. Alright, this big sister will tell you all about this Great Library."
Saying that, the librarian flashed a smile that could only be described as a nihihi. This lady is so laid-back! She's a different type of woman from Laila-san, the librarian at the Great Temple, and unlike anyone else I've met. It's kind of refreshing.
"This Great Library has four floors. The first and second floors house general books. The ones on the second floor are a bit more difficult than the ones on the first, maybe? Anyone affiliated with the academy is basically free to browse the books on the first and second floors. You can borrow up to three books at a time for one week. It used to be an unlimited number, but then someone showed up with a cart to borrow books, so they made a rule to limit it. When there's an idiot around, it's a pain for everyone else, right?"
The lady spat venom with a soft voice, her large blue eyes narrowed in what looked like a sleepy smile.
"The third floor is for books related to magic. You need permission from the faculty council to view the books there. Taking them out is also strictly forbidden. It's mostly used by professors for their own research or by outside mages who come to look things up. Students rarely use it."
Then, the lady leaned forward slightly and spoke in a hushed tone, as if sharing a secret.
"The fourth floor is off-limits to everyone but the Academy Head. Not even us librarians know what's up there. Rumor has it there's a cursed book that will bring ruin to the kingdom if it's ever taken outside, or a book about powerful spells that no one in the world knows about yet. Of course, no one's ever checked, so it's all just speculation."
What, a forbidden floor instead of a forbidden door? A magic academy's library with an off-limits floor… this academy really knows its tropes. I wonder what's hidden up there. Is it a book that will shatter your sanity points upon reading? Or a cube that summons an avatar of chaos and destruction?
My imagination ran wild, but we were just here today to visit an academy facility we'd never used before as a change of pace. We were planning to look around and head back to the dorms before dinner, so no adventures were necessary.
"For today, we're just planning to browse the first floor, so may we have permission to enter?"
"Oh, is that so? Then go on through the front door. There should be one or two people inside wearing robes with armbands like me, so if you don't understand something, just ask them. They're librarians just like me, so don't hesitate to ask questions. They're starved for opportunities to explain books to visitors."
"Haha, got it. Thanks for the fun explanation. Um…"
"Ayala Tzvika. I'd be happy if you called me Ayala."
"Understood, Ayala-san. Well then…"
Just as I was about to say, 'See you later,' a sharp pain shot through my left arm. I reflexively glanced over to see Ruria pinching the soft flesh of my inner bicep, her narrowed eyes meeting mine. It's not like I was captivated or anything; is it not even okay to have a lively conversation?!
Seeing me fall silent at such a strange moment, Ayala-san looked a bit taken aback. But then her eyes narrowed as she looked between me and Ruria, and a grin that could only be described as a smirk spread across her face. It was the smile of someone who had just found an interesting new toy.
This is bad. I shouldn't get any more involved with this person. I silently turned away and started dragging the still-sulking Ruria toward the door on the opposite side. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ayala-san waving with that same grin, but I ignored her and opened the door.
"Woah."
As we stepped through the doorway, a stunned, indescribable sound escaped Ruria beside me. We were in a massive hall, lined with bookshelves as far as the eye could see. The shelves, towering well over the height of an adult, stretched out in countless rows, back to back, in the direction we were facing. Pillars supporting the ceiling were interspersed throughout, and beyond them were yet more bookshelves. The sight of a space far larger than the main building's auditorium, filled to the brim with books, was, to put it mildly, nothing short of astonishing.
Far in the distance, the rows of bookshelves were interrupted by an open area where I could see tables and chairs. It was likely a space for those who wanted to browse books to sit and read or take notes. Even beyond that, the rows of shelves continued, and I couldn't even begin to imagine how many books were housed on this first floor alone.
Just then, my left arm was tugged sharply. I looked over to see Ruria, her earlier bad mood completely gone, her half-lidded eyes sparkling—a rather skillful feat—as she pulled on my arm. A wry smile touched my lips as I let Ruria lead me down the aisle of the nearest shelf.
The books on the shelves seemed to be organized by row, and the one we were in now had a sign that read, "02 - Folktales, Legends, and Stories." The books themselves came in various forms: some with spines, some without, some bound with string, and others in scrolls. Thoughtfully, the books and scrolls without covers had plaques with what looked like titles attached to their spots. I see. With this kind of organization, it made sense that they would need so much space.
We walked along the row, browsing the shelves, and eventually reached the reading area I had seen from the entrance. This space alone was about the size of two of our classrooms, with nearly ten tables, each large enough for five or six people, spaced out generously. At the moment, only about two people were sitting here, reading or doing research. Perhaps because it was almost dinnertime, there were few visitors.
I glanced to my side and saw Ruria with several books clutched in her arms, huffing with excitement. She must have been picking out promising books from the shelves on her way here.
"Even if you bring that many, we don't have much time today, so you won't be able to finish them… ah, you're planning to borrow the ones you can't finish."
As if she couldn't wait another moment, Ruria piled the books she was holding onto a nearby table, immediately opened one, and began to read. Once she was like this, my childhood friend's concentration was formidable; everything but the contents of the book would vanish from her mind. I'll have to remember to tell her when it's time to leave, I thought. I whispered, "I'm going to look around a bit more," and headed toward the rows of bookshelves that continued deeper into the library.
The shelves here had a sign that read, "11 - Culture and Customs." As before, I scanned the covers and titles of the books filling my vision on both sides, but my mind was on something else. It was about the Arcalai family council (plus one) that had been held in the academy's Guest Hall just the other day.
My primary reason for being reborn into this world was to practice magic; everything else was, frankly, irrelevant. Unfortunately, the tradition of magic in this world had been lost long ago, and now sorcery held sway instead. On that point, I had a few complaints for Azrael-san (tentative name), whom I met in Yetzirah, the Formative World.
Still, with the knowledge of magic I brought from my past life, I was able to reproduce the rituals, albeit imperfectly. Thanks to that, I ended up summoning a "great magician who had achieved spiritual existence" who called herself the Goddess of Magic. I was made to promise to revive the magic of this world, but since the pursuit of magic was my original goal anyway, that wasn't a problem.
So, from a very young age, the only knowledge from my past life I ever used was related to magic. I didn't engage in the usual reincarnator tropes like developing popular board games or card games to make money, or introducing cooking methods from my past life to recreate Japanese food. I was reborn into this world to become a respectable magician, and I never even considered using my past-life knowledge for anything other than magic. I wasn't interested, either.
However, in our recent discussion, I gave a lecture on the management policy of my family estate—or rather, on how the Arcalai Viscounty should be. I did so because, from my perspective, our noble house seemed to have a few problems. It was simply because I was worried about my family and the people connected to our house, because I cared about them.
It's true that I wanted to be a magic idiot who devoted himself solely to magic, and I still want to be. But that aside, I cannot allow my family to suffer disadvantages or the people of our domain to feel ashamed. For that, I should use any knowledge I have, even from my past life.
To do that, I need to know more about this world. Without understanding my own position within it, I won't be able to apply my knowledge from another world, no matter how much I have. There's no point in trying to develop an internal combustion engine in a world without petroleum reserves, right? With that in mind, I had taken Miss Elisha up on her suggestion to go to the library.
For now, I want to have a solid grasp of at least this country's geography, history, and industry. Books on sorcery can wait. I want to get an overview of the fields I just mentioned.
With that in mind, I was checking the titles of the books on the shelves, but they all looked so interesting that I was having trouble choosing. Hmm? "A Study on the Origins of Names and Surnames"? What in the world is this? How outrageous. There's even a book this interesting—I mean, useful.
Oh no, research that delves into roots like this is important. Surnames, especially those of nobles, are packed with the history and background of the family, and names are heavily influenced by the culture and customs of their time. While books on history and geography, like the examples I mentioned, directly increase one's knowledge, books like this are like supplementary readers that fill in the gaps between the threads, giving knowledge depth. Damn it, I desperately want to read it.
But this book is on a rather high shelf. A child's body is a bit of a pain at times like these. I wonder if I can reach it by stretching… ugh, I'm so close. Just as I was hopping up and down in front of the bookshelf, a hand as slender as a dead branch reached out from the side and took the book I wanted.
Startled, I looked over to see a tall old man standing there. His long, mostly white hair was tied back, and his rich, almost completely white beard extended past his chest. He was wearing a jet-black robe embroidered with silver thread in key places—it was unmistakably the Head of this Talgum Magic Academy.
Having suddenly encountered the Academy Head in the flesh, and in such an unexpected place, I was momentarily lost for words and froze on the spot. The Academy Head looked at me with gentle eyes from beneath his white eyebrows and offered the book he had just taken.
"When you want to read a book that is out of your reach, you should ask a librarian. It would be terrible if you were to injure yourself by overreaching, or knock over a bookshelf."
I took the book in a daze and remained frozen in that position for a while. After a good two or three beats, I finally bowed my head and offered an apology.
"M-my apologies, Academy Head! I did not realize you were standing next to me. Please forgive my rudeness."
I responded in a posture that felt like receiving a diploma at a graduation ceremony. The Academy Head didn't scold me for my strange stance and continued to speak in his usual gentle voice.
"You read interesting books, Saki-kun. It is important for a mage not only to master sorcery but also to acquire a broad range of knowledge to be of service to people. Please continue to apply yourself to your studies."
He called me by name, and I couldn't help but look up and ask.
"You know my name?"
"Of course. Your parents, your grandmother, your late grandfather, and Maria-dono as well. I remember everyone who has enrolled in and graduated from this academy. And as for you, Saki-kun, Ester-dono has specifically asked me to look after you."
"I-I'm honored."
Come to think of it, Grandma did mention something like that before. Though, if I recall correctly, it was something along the lines of, "My grandson is sure to cause trouble, so please be lenient with him." What a terrible thing to say.
Have I ever caused trouble for the academy? …I have. The discovery of Spell Gesture Omission, the flood of visitors who came to see me, and the recent assassination attempt. It hasn't even been two months since I enrolled, but I've been causing incidents at a pace that even I can't defend. I couldn't help but hang my head in despair.
"Do not worry about it. The young people who study at this academy are all like my own children. I would like you to interact with me without any reservations."
As he said this, the Academy Head raised one eyebrow, making a difficult expression. In reality, because his long, rich eyebrows and mustache buried most of his features in hair, I could only guess at his expression. He was, for all intents and purposes, the very image of a classic wizard. Or perhaps a "black Santa Claus."
"I say that so grandly, but it is with the utmost regret that our carelessness put you in danger the other day. I am truly sorry."
"No, in the end I was unharmed, without a single scratch. Please don't worry about it."
I hadn't expected to hear a personal apology from the Academy Head, so I was a bit flustered as I insisted that I didn't mind at all. It's true that both myself and the academy staff were not cautious enough about the dangers within the grounds, but it would be a bit harsh to expect them to have foreseen that conspiracy. Besides, they seem to have learned their lesson and beefed up security, so I have no ill will toward the academy. If anything, I feel sorry for getting the academy involved in my family's affairs.
"To hear you say that, Saki-kun, lifts a great weight from my chest. Hmm. Then, this is not exactly an apology from me, but is there anything you would like to ask me, about this academy or anything else? This old man has, for better or worse, accumulated many years, so I believe I can answer most things, you see?"
Whoa! For some reason, I've received the gift of a bonus question time from the Academy Head! Man, I really don't care about being targeted anymore, but it feels wrong to turn down his offer to tell me things. Alright then, I'll take him up on it. What should I ask?
"...Anything at all?"
"Yes. Anything I can answer."
"In that case, what is on the fourth floor of this library? As the rumors say, does it house some kind of dangerous knowledge or books?"
I decided to ask the Academy Head about the truth of the story I had just heard from Ayala-san at the reception desk. I might never get another chance like this, and it was the thing I was most curious about right now, so I figured I might as well ask.
My question didn't seem to surprise him much. The Academy Head stroked his long beard and answered immediately.
"Indeed, there is a single, special book stored there. However, it is not dangerous or cursed, or anything of the sort. It is extremely valuable, and only a select few are qualified to read it. Besides myself, only one other person has ever laid eyes on that book. Your grandmother."
Grandma again?! Just how much special treatment does she get? Well, if a family member has read it, it might be faster to ask her about it.
"So, what kind of book is it, and what qualifications are needed to read it?"
"Ah, unfortunately, that is the one thing I cannot answer. Perhaps it is better to say that I am 'forbidden from telling' rather than 'unable to answer.' In time, if you obtain the qualification, you will naturally understand. And from what I see, Saki-kun, you will surely obtain that qualification."
The Academy Head answered with a quintessential grandfatherly smile, dodging my question. Huh? Didn't you just say you'd answer anything? I couldn't help but think, but I'm old enough to understand figures of speech. Well, if I can't hear it from the Academy Head, I can just ask Grandma, so I guess this is fine.
"I understand. It's a shame I can't learn about this qualification right away, but I will continue to strive so that I may one day obtain it."
"Haha, do not look so disappointed. Very well, then allow me to share a rumor with you as well."
The Academy Head, his smile unchanged, told me.
"It is said that besides the fourth floor, there is a hidden room in this Great Library that no one has ever entered. If you are interested, why not try looking for it?"
With that, the Academy Head turned his back to me and quietly walked away behind the bookshelves. I could only stand there, stunned, and watch him go.
Hey, wait a minute. You said you'd tell me anything, but you ended up not telling me anything important and just left me with more mysteries. What's with that key character act?! Are you some kind of setup character who shows up in the middle of the story, drops a few hints to pique the interest of the protagonist and the readers, and then disappears?!
...Phew. Calm down. I got a little worked up in my head there. Meeting an unexpected person in an unexpected place and having an unexpected conversation seems to have made me a bit mentally unstable. I feel like I was thinking some pretty weird things, but since it was all in my head, I'm safe.
Still, a hidden room. In this Great Library? What should I do…
Sometime later, I was wandering aimlessly through the rows of bookshelves on the first floor of the Great Library, the book "A Study on the Origins of Names and Surnames" still in my hand. The Academy Head's story about the hidden room was still occupying my mind, and I found myself more interested in that than in looking for books.
This great hall had no windows, due to the need to store a large number of books. The lighting was provided by magical lights installed in the ceiling. Therefore, the three walls other than the one we entered through were not necessarily exterior walls, and it wasn't impossible for there to be space for a hidden room between the walls and the outer shell. With that in mind, I was casually looking at the bookshelves along the walls, but…
"Saki."
A soft, small voice called my name from behind me. It was Ruria. When I turned around, I saw Ruria with three books balanced on top of her head, which she was steadying with her hands.
"Almost dinner."
"Is it that time already? Well, let's head back to the dorms. Are you borrowing those books?"
Ruria started to nod in response to my question, but she almost lost her balance and hastily corrected her posture. Books are generally heavy and bulky. It must be a struggle for Ruria to carry them by hand, which is probably why she's doing that. It was like those scenes you see in foreign films from my past life, where people carry water jugs or baskets of goods on their heads.
My childhood friend turned and started walking, and I followed her toward the hall's exit. I couldn't help but feel that Ruria's steps were lighter than usual. She was probably looking forward to getting back to the dorm and reading the books she'd borrowed. There wasn't a trace of the gloom she'd had on the way here. It was a good thing we came.
"Hmm?"
"...What is it?"
I suddenly stopped in my tracks and let out a questioning sound. Ruria also stopped and turned to ask. To her, it must have looked like I was just staring at a perfectly ordinary section of a bookshelf. But to my eyes, something a little different was reflected.
The shelf I was looking at was overflowing with light. Particles of magical light, floating in the air, were gushing out from behind the bookshelf with incredible density.
Once again, the update is significantly delayed. I never learn. I'd like to post at least one or two more chapters before the end of the year. I look forward to your continued readership next time.