Chapter 39: The Library (AKA a Bookworm's Paradise)
Arriving back at the Library, I nodded to the Head Librarian as I headed back into the depths of the building. Flipping the rectangular medallion I watched Nostradamus engrave <Magic Language> onto before he gave it to me, I finally took the opportunity to <Scan> the 'pass.'
<Libraria Archimediea Ward Key>
<Given by Master Sorcerer Nostradamus, having one in possession allows the holder to be bypassed by the Library Sprites and ignored by the passive defenses of the wards. Can be traced.>
Hmm, that last one might be a problem, even if I'm used to GPS and having my privacy invaded by stalker hacker friends.
[I think they only meant within the wards of the Library, Nori.]
Still.
Considering the squiggles which were not deciphering themselves no matter how hard I tried, the first objective was to definitely learn <Magic Language.> Even if I might not ever use it, at least traditionally, it would allow me to decipher and unravel the spells around me more easily. Being able to break down and understand the spells I saw would allow me to possibly recreate it.
"Kuroy?"
"Call me Nori, Miss Auteberry," I managed not to cringe. That's going to haunt me for a long while—as long as I stayed in Crown City, basically.
She merely blinked, otherwise remaining standing with two books held in her arms. "Elin, then. Congratulations on being granted a Special Pass-Key for our humble Library. Do you need me to direct you to the Magical Archives?"
Walking up to her, I nodded once. I didn't exactly dislike her no-nonsense personality. "Yes, thank you. And 'Special'?"
Elin started walking, her heeled boots surprisingly silent considering her pace; I easily kept up with her considering our difference in height.
"There are several types of keys one can get that would allow one to bypass the various wards of the building and rooms. A basic pass-key will allow one to be unmolested by the wards once public hours are over. There are the Librarian Keys which allows us access to all rooms and are only usable by the one it was given to. Then, there are the special pass-keys that are tailored specifically, depending on the individual it was granted to."
She glanced at the medallion I was flipping around. It was an oddly-shaped card made from carved wood that had a hole for something to be threaded through, while the other side ended in blunt tongs. (If it were a "key," I suppose it resembled some I saw in Ancient Chinese dramas.)
Her glasses glinted. "You have permanent access to the public and general sections of the Library in addition to the Magical Archives. You may enter other archive rooms with limitations."
I put away the Library Key in my pocket, while in actuality sending it to my Inventory so it wasn't liable to be lost. Staring at the double-doors we found ourselves stopping at, I studied the heavily engraved archway in curiosity.
"Nori, welcome to the magical wing of Westria's premier library," Elin smiled as if in anticipation before pushing open the doors.
…
"Oh my glob."
She adjusted her glasses and blinked once slowly. "Sorry?"
"Nothing."
Those bookcases had five to six shelves each and the first floor has—
[Nori, there are 5253 independent items counted in this section of the Library.]
'Thanks for doing the math for me,' was my faint reply.
"I will head back to the Law and History sections now," Elin said.
"Y-yeah, thanks," I distractedly replied as I stepped further into the wing, ignoring the others present that ranged from students (judging by their outfits) to academics both independent and affiliated with the Crown City universities.
Now, where would books to help me learn <Magical Language> be…?
[To your left, fifth bookcase, second shelf from the top.]
I walked to the bookshelf mentioned, eyes focusing on the spine of the book my partner pointed out to me.
[This would help you learn the basic <Magic Language.> <Warding Language> is a different subset that requires an understanding of the Standard.]
Right, I do remember that <Magic Language> was actually a catch-all term for the system of writing/speaking that was used for magic and that some magical beings spoke. There were dozens of different "dialects" to cover.
Well. I do enjoy a challenge sometimes. Especially one that would only benefit me in the end!
[Please do not recreate the Dragon Slave spell you were just thinking of, Nori.]
'Oops, you caught that?'
I wouldn't use it anyway, considering the level of environmental landscaping it did when Lina Inverse from Slayers cast that spell. It was just a theoretical practice idea!
[...]
Really!
[Alright.] 37 still sounded hesitant to believe me.
I'm hurt, seriously. I'm being completely (not really) genuine too! I sent him an image of a crying emoji before stopping the amusing banter and pulling the book out.
'What others would you recommend while I'm here?'
Pulling out the other texts he pointed out, I turned around and just leaned against the bookcase since it wasn't a heavily trafficked area of the archives—I wouldn't be in the way and I'd get some privacy and quiet to study.
I was so lost in trying to comprehend the language, had taken out some texts written purely in magical script (basic, so I just didn't need to read it out loud and I was safe from accidentally summoning Cthulhu) to increase my learning rate, I was surprised at how empty the archives was when I finally looked up.
A Library Sprite was floating around me, speaking in a voice I know recognized belonged to the Head Librarian. Staring at the fairy light in confusion for a moment, I pulled the Library Key from my Inventory and watched as it immediately lost interest in me and floated off.
Frowning, I stared down at the wooden pass-key. The only logical explanation was that items in the Inventory could not be detected which meant I had to buy something to make it into a lanyard (or a clunky pendant) as soon as possible.
'Sorry, what was that?' I asked the AI who was the one who interrupted me in my studying haze.
[You should probably eat something, Nori.]
'Was it dinner time?'
[That was two hours ago.]
"Oh," looking around and understanding why the wing was emptier now, I set aside the books and pulled out something that would not make a mess when I ate it from the Inventory.
[May I have permission to get programming texts to read from Earth?]
His question distracted me from trying to figure out the grammar of magic. Oh, I suppose 37 would be pretty bored with me reading all the time. And I expect that's pretty much what I'd do for the next few weeks at the least too. Maybe months.
Back to life as a university student in another world; how ironic.
'Yeah, sure, take $5000 from my account and go wild,' I absentmindedly replied. His mention of programming had me catch an idea about magical grammar. (And 37 learning more about coding would only benefit us in the long run.)
As soon as I finished this sandwich, I needed to find a basic spellbook to double-check my idea.
…
And so, a month passed.
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