From every possible perspective, Ouyang Tao’s first real battle had ended with a decent result. But the reality was… he now faced an even greater challenge ahead.
Every month, all students dueled each other. Wins, losses, and performance earned points toward their final grades.
Guided matches against senior students also counted—held at the start, mid-term, and end of each semester.
Most critically, Ouyang Tao’s draw against Deya drastically reduced restrictions on his future opponents.
If compared to Go handicaps: today’s match was like receiving a four-stone handicap. Next time should’ve been three stones. But his performance had instantly elevated him to an even game.
Worst of all, his mentor confirmed Deya would personally challenge him again—in just two and a half months.
Ouyang Tao had tasted Deya’s strength firsthand. She was formidable. Today’s draw was pure luck. Later, in two unrestricted matches, she crushed opponents in under a minute—proof of her true power.
To avoid defeat, Ouyang Tao needed to push himself 120% for the next seventy-five days.
His mentor assigned three core tasks: master standard Mech construction, refine Magic Stone processing techniques, and—having noticed Ouyang Tao’s defensive prowess—improve his defensive strategies.
Beyond these, daily training loomed: Mana cultivation, physical conditioning, etiquette lessons…
In short, the pressure was immense.
Lu Yun knew Ouyang Tao wasn’t cut out for rigid classroom learning. He granted full autonomy: Ouyang Tao would design his own training schedule, consulting Lu Yun only for technical hurdles or weekly reports.
Unbeknownst to himself, Ouyang Tao had already grown accustomed to battle. His fighting spirit had ignited. *Today was a draw. Next time, he couldn’t afford to lose either.*
First priority: cram theory on Magic Stones and standard Mechs. Simply put—hit the books.
Where? The Arcane Library, of course. After watching other students’ matches, it was already noon. Ouyang Tao bade his mentor farewell, devoured a hearty meal in the cafeteria to replenish his energy, and felt the fatigue of battle fade.
He headed straight for the library.
Augustus College’s Arcane Library sprawled across ten hectares. Its twin-towered main building gleamed in shades of blue—symbolizing caution against fire. Double-eaved roofs crowned with peacock-blue glazed tiles rose above pale beige tile walls. Granite steps led to white marble railings, radiating classical solemnity.
Since his first day at the academy, Ouyang Tao had longed to step inside and devour its knowledge.
In the grand hall, he scanned the library map and brochure. *Good grief.* Twenty floors of bookshelves—above and below ground—held tens of millions of volumes, scrolls, and archives.
So many books… Where to even start? He felt lost in an endless forest, unsure which tree to climb first.
Fortunately, Mentor Lu Yun had prepared a list. Ouyang Tao pulled a densely written reference sheet from his pocket. Overwhelming, but at least it was a direction.
Past the hall, he entered the first-floor stacks. A girl in black sat behind the counter, a metal plaque reading "Librarian" before her. She wore no uniform—just a frilly white dress beneath a black silk shawl. Yet her chest bore the college insignia: a cross symbolizing death and redemption. The mark of the Spectral Discipline.
Seeing it, chills shot down Ouyang Tao’s spine.
Spectral Discipline communed with souls and bargained with death. To ordinary people, it was real-life horror.
The girl hadn’t noticed his approach. Head bent over a book, her presence was unnervingly faint. Only the soft rustle of turning pages proved she wasn’t a ghost.
Ouyang Tao steeled himself and stepped forward. "Excuse me…"
"Hmm?" She lifted her gaze.
Her face was bare, porcelain-pale with an almost spectral glow. Utterly expressionless. One word described her: *cold*.
But her eyes were most striking—no pupils, only deep, haunting blue. Spirit Sight. The foundational gift of Spectral Discipline students, allowing them to see spirits.
Normally, Spirit Sight resembled ordinary eyes when inactive. Ouyang Tao had never seen anyone keep it permanently active.
Beyond the blank stare and ever-open Spirit Sight… she was undeniably beautiful.
"Can I help you?"
"Ah—sorry!" Ouyang Tao snapped out of his daze, realizing he’d been staring. "I need these books." He handed over the list.
The librarian didn’t touch it. Instead, she addressed empty air: "Bring this to me."
The list floated from Ouyang Tao’s hand and drifted to her. She scanned it swiftly, then fixed her ghostly eyes on him. "All of them?"
"…" Over a hundred titles. Unnecessary. "Just these few, please…" He named introductory Mech manuals and Magic Stone theory texts.
She nodded once, closed her eyes, then reopened them a second later. "Fourth floor, Sections C and D. Will-o’-the-wisps have marked their locations."
*Will-o’-the-wisps?!* Don’t scare people like that… Ouyang Tao flinched. But the girl had already returned to her book.
Her aura was too unsettling. Best not to ask questions. Find the books and leave.
Inside the library, two traits dominated: vastness and silence. Combined, they bred dread.
Ouyang Tao saw no one else in the colossal space. Only his footsteps echoed. The stillness crawled under his skin. Even this grown man hugged his arms tightly, unnerved.
*Find the books. Get out.* He hurried forward. Soon, a pale blue flame flickered before a shelf. There it was—*Fundamentals of Magic Stone Refinement*, one of his targets.
As he pulled the book free, the flame vanished. Creepy, but efficient. Guided by more ghostly lights, he gathered his selections.
Then—a sound behind him. *Sweeping.* Relief washed over him. *Other people are here.*
He turned.
"WAAAH—!!!" Ouyang Tao shrieked, collapsing onto his backside. Books scattered everywhere.
No one was there.
A broom and dustpan swept the floor by themselves.
"Silence in the library." The librarian’s voice descended from above. "Routine cleaning. No need for alarm."
*You could’ve mentioned that earlier!* Ouyang Tao bit back the complaint. Spectral mages commanded spirits. Of course ghosts handled chores. Remembering the counter incident, he finally exhaled.
*This place is no good. Leave. Now.* He gathered his books and strode toward the exit.
But leaving… wouldn’t be that simple.
