Chapter 60: Chapter 60 - Knowledge
The library.
Vesta's port status meant it likely housed a public library filled with books from across the region, maybe even books from outside the Empire. It would be far more expansive than the small collection back home, and even if much of the knowledge wasn't immediately useful, it was an opportunity she couldn't ignore.
The idea filled her with excitement— how could she have possibly forgotten such a thing. Her mind space, the unique ability to store and recall anything she read, would benefit immensely from such a visit.
She decided then and there to go, even though she had promised Edwin to stay in the inn, they wouldn't know if she didn't tell them.
After freshening up and changing into a clean outfit, she left the inn— before she left she asked the innkeeper where the library was located, learning that it was near the middle of the city.
Her destination was the Vesta Public Library.
The walk through the city was uneventful but enjoyable, it was like the days before, the streets were lively with merchants and children, and even bards and performers that drew small crowds.
The air buzzed with life, the city thriving under the midday sun.
When she reached the library, Seraphina paused to take in the sight, observing it from the outside— the structure of the building seemingly imposing compared to her size.
The building was grand, its polished stone gleaming in the sunlight, with large walls that stretched into multiple floors, and a grandiose roof that seemed like it could survive the harshest of weathers. Large windows with decorative designs allowed streams of light to filter through, and the entrance was framed by intricately carved pillars.
Inside, the library was even more impressive.
Rows of shelves stretched toward the high ceiling, each filled with books neatly organized by topic, with the middle of the rooms being a large opening that allowed one to see the different floors above.
Four floors in total, each filled with shelves of books that contained countless information from across the lands. Chandeliers kept the place bright, hanging from overhead, casting a warm glow across the polished wood floors.
The faint scent of old paper and ink filled the air, bringing a sense of calm to the bustling space— the silence was almost peaceful.
Seraphina approached the front desk, where an attendant sat with a ledger. A sign nearby indicated the entry fee: one silver coin, it was a lot, but for such a place it only made sense.
She paid without hesitation, the coin clinking softly as it dropped into the collection box.
"Enjoy your visit, please note that floors three and four are off-limits to the general public."
The attendant said with a polite smile.
"Wait, then how do you access them?"
Seraphina wasn't aware of how the library here worked, but still, two floors filled with knowledge was enough to last her quite some time to learn. Just in case though, she wanted to learn how to access them.
"Floor three is only accessible to those with a special pass or nobles; floor four is only granted to scholars that have proven their knowledge to the Council."
Seraphina nodded and took note of it as she moved aside. The first part wasn't too difficult, gaining a special pass or connections with a noble wasn't impossible, she could do that if she tried hard enough— but the second part was a bit complicated.
She didn't know what proving their knowledge to the Council meant, nor did she plan to try. Proving her knowledge could expose her identity, and she didn't consider herself as learned as a scholar.
Regardless, she wandered through the aisles, marveling at the sheer volume of knowledge on display. History, alchemy, geography, ancient myths— the topics seemed endless.
As she walked she scanned the names on the spines of the books she passed, before deciding to select a few books that caught her interest and settled into a quiet corner to skim through them.
Her violet eyes scanned the pages as she flipped through them, her mind absorbing every word and storing it in her mind space for later comprehension.
Time passed quickly as she lost herself in the world of words, her surroundings fading into the background— she had countless books to go through and the process of saving each of them in her mental library would take a very long time.
She also had to be careful about being seen— if she made it too obvious she was just skimming the books, she might draw unnecessary attention.
By the time she finished the last book she could for the day, the sun was beginning to set, casting a warm glow through the library's windows.
Seraphina returned the books to their shelves and stepped outside, feeling both satisfied and invigorated— she planned to visit the library again tomorrow and the next few days.
In fact, for the foreseeable future, the library would become her home; the only possible issue that could arise from her visit would be the price. One silver coin was expensive, and while she currently had plenty of gold coins, she would run out if these visits became frequent.
She had to come up with a way to earn money in a steady way. She couldn't start a business, that would require her to gain a permit and she lacked the experience to run a business right now.
Early Edwin had mentioned the Adventurer Guild, previously it was just a cover for their identity, but now it seemed like it might be a good way to gain some money while they did other stuff.
For now, she would have to learn more about the Guild, when she got back she would ask Edwin about it.
The walk back to The Amber Hearth was peaceful, the city transitioning into the soft hum of evening activity. When she arrived, the common room was lively with patrons enjoying their meals and drinks, Seraphina made her way upstairs, she expected Edwin to question her about her day, but she could easily convince him.
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