"No library card, no borrowing."

"Huh..."

Ouyang Tao stood speechless, mouth agape.

He’d planned to flee this eerily silent place—haunted by drifting ghosts—and take the book back to his dorm. But without a library card, he was trapped inside the Arcane Library.

Worse, library cards wouldn’t be issued for another month.

That meant Ouyang Tao would be stuck reading here—not just today, but for at least thirty more days.

*Heaven help me. A whole month studying in a haunted library?* He inwardly groaned, helpless.

The librarian girl ignored his distress. "Reading desks are available throughout. Feel free."

Her attention snapped back to her book.

Desks dotted the library, each equipped with lamps, pen holders, notepads, and drafting tools. But how could anyone focus here? The emptiness pressed in, ghosts flickering at the edges of vision.

Ouyang Tao trudged to the nearest desk—just steps from the librarian. *At least she’s here. No more jump scares from phantom surprises.*

Why was this vital place deserted? Did no one study here? Or... had this girl scared everyone away?

Shrugging off the thoughts, he sat. One hand flipped open the book; the other gripped a pen.

Before, his skills came from raw talent, fragmented memories, and scattered texts. Never had he held such systematic knowledge.

Soon, he was utterly absorbed. The haunted library faded. Time dissolved.

After devouring the basics of Magic Stone refinement—minerals that supplied Mana, conserving a user’s own reserves—he grabbed another volume: *Standard Mech Designs, Tier 1*.

His duel with Deya flashed back. Her combat Mech hadn’t been improvised; it was a polished, repeatedly built design. Now he understood why.

Standard Mechs and gear followed pre-made blueprints, ranked Tier 1 to 15. Combat units split into Mech frames and weapon systems—semi-independent, swappable for tactical flexibility.

Personal modifications were allowed too. Like Deya’s ghostly Mech with its optical camouflage.

Then he recalled her Tier 5 construction limit during their fight. *She barely used a third of her strength.*

His competitive fire reignited. *If I want to win next time, I’ll need to step up my game. Fast.*

Book after book fell under his focus.

The librarian remained silent, turning pages without a sound.

Time slipped away in the hush. Only when Ouyang Tao closed the last borrowed book did he check the clock—

"Gah—!" He nearly yelped in shock. But the librarian’s gaze had already lifted, sharp and expectant.

No words needed. Her stare screamed *Silence.* He clamped his mouth shut.

11:30 PM. *How did hours vanish? And why hadn’t a single soul entered?* Guilt tugged at him. He gathered the books to reshelve them.

"Leave them there." The girl flicked her wrist. The books floated from his arms, drifting back to their shelves. Pens and paper slid neatly into place on the desk.

Ouyang Tao stayed calm this time—thanks to earlier ghostly encounters.

But the sign outside clearly stated: *Closing time 5:30 PM.*

*Did she stay... because of me?*

He approached her counter. She looked up. "Something else?"

"I—I’m sorry. I made you stay past closing..." he apologized sincerely.

"It’s fine." She didn’t glance up. "I live here."

"Huh?"

"Come again anytime." Her nose buried back in her book.

"Right. I’ll... let you rest." He turned to leave, unsure why he’d added that last part.

*She’s responsible. But...*

A flicker of loneliness had crossed her face. Why was this library always empty? The questions clung to him.

Outside, campus paths lay deserted under streetlights. The free shuttle had stopped running at 8 PM. His dorm in the Special Zone was a kilometer away.

*Guess I’m walking.*

Augustus College at night was quiet—but alive. No curfew meant sweet whispers drifted from bushes and groves where couples lingered.

Then harsh voices cut through the dark:

"Hey, sweetheart. What’s a cutie like you doing with this loser?"

"Yeah, kid—you scored such a cute girl? Didn’t peg you for the type."

Ouyang Tao froze. *Thugs? Here? Should I...?*

"Please, leave her alone! We just met—she’s only a friend!" A timid voice pleaded.

"Who asked you? Scram!"

A scuffle broke out. Ouyang Tao’s fists clenched.

"Stop it! I won’t let you hurt her!" a girl’s voice snapped.

"Feisty little thing, aren’t you?"

"Come on then. Try and stop us."

*That voice—!*

Ouyang Tao lunged into the grove.