In the afternoon, Nofice helped me submit a leave application, and I came alone to The Chishin Academy College Library. We also have a library in our high school section, but it only has one hundred floors and although it houses billions of books, it pales in comparison to the college section. Moreover, the content of the books in the high school section is not comprehensive, and it does not collect Grimoires.
In the college library, the collection of books is divided by a horizon. Up to one hundred floors towards the sky, it houses the fundamental literature and works of subjects like geography and literature. On the other hand, the collection of literature and works on Magic and other abilities is housed in the lower one hundred floors going towards the underground. In the middle of the horizon, a space constructed with Spatial Magic spans only three hundred square meters and houses the Grimoires. It is said that one of the Grimoires inside is known as a banned book in the three realms. However, nobody knows which book it is, what abilities it possesses, or who the author is. Perhaps the emperor of the Empire might know.
"That's our high school uniform, right?"
"Yes, are you here to visit the academy as a high school student?"
"The visiting time is in June, and it's only February now."
"Could it be a challenge? I heard that the high school section is known as the testing ground for the artificially created element 'L.' There have been rumors of high school seniors surpassing the Holy Rank in their graduation year. Maybe they are here to try their luck in our college section."
"Haha, don't be ridiculous. It's just high school. We only started a few weeks ago."
"That's true. A few weeks are too short. It would be terrifying if that were possible."
"Do you think there's something wrong with the Empire? They actually let high school students participate in experiments. It should be us, adults, who have the right to make autonomous choices... "
As I entered the college section, the uniform and the emblem on my chest caught the attention of passersby, and they started to discuss. The college section is not closed; all that is required is to leave a record to gain entry.
"Hello." I suddenly appeared beside the discussing group of passersby.
"Whoa, you scared me!"
"When did he come over?"
"I wanted to ask, where is the library?"
"Oh, you should have said so. Walk down this small path, and you will see a signpost. Just follow that."
"Thank you!"
"Doesn't he make any sound when he walks?" a passerby commented as they watched my departing figure.
"It's probably Spatial Magic..."
"I'm 'allergic' to that Magic!"
2
"The Library." The plaque in front of the entrance had a very historical appearance, but I found the dragon and phoenix patterns on it quite ugly. I could vaguely see the name at the signature spot – Zixu, the first emperor.
The interior of the library was extremely quiet, with only the faint sound of flipping pages. Because of the library's grandeur, after passing through the reading area near the entrance, there was complete silence in the book collection area. Strange objects could be found everywhere. These objects were like the "Seven Stars" I encountered before, each fixed and unable to be moved. This was another reason why I had to come here – the Puzz Magic connection. Only one library in the entire Human Realm possessed it, and with it, I could access books from other country's libraries without physically going there.
I picked up a book and quickly flipped through it. In a matter of seconds, I finished reading the book, but the efficiency was not high when it came to finding the information I wanted.
"With so many books, I wonder if anyone would notice if I use Magic!" I stood in front of each bookshelf, each towering over five people and spanning one hundred floors.
"Sorry, the first article of the library regulations explicitly forbids readers from using Magic in any form," a familiar voice of a girl said.
"The library regulations? Where are they?" I felt something pressing against my back, as if it was a weapon.
"They are behind the entrance. Since you are not our student, of course you wouldn't know. As the librarian, I warn you not to attempt to use Magic, otherwise the librarian has the right to use Magic," she said.
I raised my hands and slowly turned around, only to see Princess Zili, wearing the uniform of the university department and holding a broom.
"You are the librarian?"
"The position of the librarian is very important, so I should take on this role."
"Princess Zili…"
"I don't recall you calling me the Third Princess, though."
"But you haven't told me your name yet."
Zili stood with her broom in a serious manner, clearly not believing that I didn't know her name.
"It's common courtesy to introduce oneself when making friends. Hello, I'm Qin Yang," I said, extending my hand with a smile.
Zili poked my palm with the broom handle and said, "Zili."
"What are you doing? Are you sweeping?"
"The duty of the librarian is to keep the library clean."
"You are responsible for all two hundred floors? That's really tough on you."
"I have a little sprite." Zili pointed to a dwarf in the distance behind me, who obediently held a broom and a cloth, cleaning one bookshelf after another.
"Qin Yang, why are you here in the college department?"
"I want to look up some information. I forgot about the librarian. It can't be just you, right?"
"Yeah, I don't need anyone's help."
"I see. It's true that only a princess would be made the librarian, enforcing a ban on certain books!"
"What ban?"
"The Grimoire!"
"I haven't seen it. It's just a legend. Do you really believe it?"
"Well, if it doesn't exist, then forget it. Can you help me find a few books?"
"Sure, otherwise what am I doing as the librarian?" Zili placed her broom across in front of her and poked the bookshelf with the broom head. A row of bookshelves moved away, revealing the disappeared walls of the hundred floors of the middle section. Everywhere I looked, there were bookshelves.
"Is this the Pars Magic Inner Path?"
"This is the Inner Path. If you need, I can connect to the Outer Path. Give me a keyword."
"Pyramid!"
