“Whew, this was some kind of hell.”
I didn’t think they bought my excuse… probably just hungry.
After rolling around that much, there’s no way I wouldn’t be starving.
“Why are people so nosy about others’ private lives?”
Is it because school life lacks excitement? Though, this is a world without smartphones or internet, so I guess it makes sense.
Black Wolf never showed up until the end of class, so I had lunch with Earl. Afterward, he said he’d go to the commercial district to grab his stuff since his dormitory was finally decided. Black Wolf got their room too, so hopefully we won’t have any more accidents like yesterday.
“Is this the library?”
I arrived at Minerva’s famous library. It was massive, taking up an entire building. There were many students coming in and out, but also quite a few people who looked like professors, and even outsiders.
Can anyone use this place?
As I entered, intrigued, there was a desk set up like in a hotel.
“Ah, Professor Allen. Are you here to use the library?”
A man dressed in a suit with an owl badge smiled as he approached me.
“Do you know me?”
“Of course! How could I not know a famous professor like you? In fact, all Minerva faculty members are memorized.”
“You have an impressive memory.”
I marveled, and the man gave an awkward smile.
“I got this job because of that skill. For outsiders, we need ID, but you can use it right away, Professor. Before entering, please read the guidelines over there.”
“Yes, thank you.”
When I turned my head to where he pointed, neatly written guidelines caught my eye. Though lengthy, they contained typical rules like not damaging books, not being loud, and oddly, not using magic.
Who would cast spells in a library?!
Shaking my head, I entered, only to be greeted by an overwhelming number of books.
“…Wow.”
How am I supposed to search through all this?
I sighed in awe. Let’s start with the ‘Curse’ category. With so many books, surely I’ll find some clue.
“Hmm, this is giving me a headache.”
There were countless books related to curses. I read a few…
“No results.”
Since every book was gathered here, many unrelated ones were mixed in too. There were even novels that were so entertaining I ended up reading them all standing there.
It dawned on me how hard it is to find what I’m looking for among these numerous books. Even Erias couldn’t find a proper method. Can someone like me really discover anything by flipping through a few books?
Just as I started feeling slightly down, my wrist vibrated.
– Whooooom!
The snake bracelet from the Imperial Palace. Actually, it’s a treasure called Star Artifact that can transform into various forms.
Though Erias said it’s made from fragments of stars, I haven’t properly used it yet, so I don’t fully understand it.
“What’s wrong? You’ve been quiet until now.”
This thing hadn’t reacted at all since absorbing Lux’s curse. That it’s reacting in the library might mean it senses my mood.
– Whooom! Oom!
Continuing vibrations. Focusing, I realized it’s pointing in a specific direction.
“Are you telling me to go this way?”
– Whooooom!
The whole bracelet vibrated in response.
Even though this is its first time in a library, it seems to know something. Since it understands my words, I decided to humor it and move. Besides, it would probably keep vibrating until I do.
“Let’s go then.”
– Oom!
Following its guidance, I walked while greeting students along the way, eventually reaching a staircase.
“Up?”
– Whooom!
“Down?”
– Oom!
Good response, buddy.
The sign read [Basement 1~3 Floors: Ancient Documents]. So many ancient documents require an entire basement?
Well, they’re likely categorized.
Clack clack…
Opening the glass door, a refreshing breeze swept through me. Some kind of magic must be at work.
Lost in the strange sensation, a strong vibration urged me onward.
– Oom!
You’re telling me to hurry, huh?
With no choice, I followed its lead. If it insists this much, it must be important.
“Just don’t let it be nothing.”
– Whooooom!
Since it’s showing me the way, I observed my surroundings as I moved. The distinct smell of old paper filled the air, fitting for ancient documents. The space was surprisingly vast, wider than upstairs. Few people were around, likely due to lack of interest.
Walking for a while, I spotted a suspicious door.
[Caution: Restricted Section – Entry Prohibited]
“Prohibited entry, huh?”
– Whooooom!
‘This idiot, hurry up!’ I almost heard it say.
Sigh… Now it’s encouraging criminal behavior.
Checking my surroundings and confirming no one was around, I cautiously opened the door. Thankfully, no alarm sounded.
“Phew, another basement?”
An endless staircase greeted me in the dark. Maybe because of the ‘restricted’ label, it felt like entering the lair of evil.
Still, the bracelet kept vibrating, so I descended into the abyssal basement.
[Basic Magic: Light]
Using fundamental magic to illuminate the darkness, I descended for quite a while before seeing the end. A steel door blocked my path, clearly protected by various magics. What dangerous books are stored here to warrant such depth?
Putting aside my curiosity, I addressed the bracelet.
“This is the end. What now? Touching it might be dangerous.”
I considered breaking the magic but deemed it too risky. Even without magic, breaking the steel door would require aura or divine power, risking collapsing the underground space. Plus, it’s illegal.
“Whatever’s in there, let’s give up.”
– Whooooom!
Then it transformed, climbing from my wrist to my finger, turning into a key.
Trying it on the door…
Click!
It opened?
I stared incredulously at the bracelet.
“What exactly are you?”
– Whooom
“…What are you saying? Turn back into a bracelet already.”
– Oom!
Whether the structure prevents magic reaction with a key or it broke through, the door opened. Having come this far, ignoring consequences and entering seemed right.
Creeeak…
In an eerie atmosphere, I swallowed and stepped inside.
A strange smell assaulted my nose. Gradually lighting the area with magic, I saw books enclosed in transparent cases. Judging by the atmosphere, those were definitely forbidden texts. Recognizing them as such, the tables holding the cases, the magic circles on the floor, and surrounding decorations seemed to form an altar.
“How am I supposed to break through this?”
Whatever material it’s made of, touching the book inside the case seemed impossible.
– Whooom!
Reassuringly vibrating, the bracelet began absorbing my mana.
“That’s awfully self-serving.”
I could stop it if I wanted, but since I’m curious about what it’s doing, I let it continue.
After consuming my mana for quite a while, it suddenly transformed into its original snake form and hovered in the air.
– Whooom! Oom!
Glowing faintly in midair, it resembled a small dragon. Then its eyes flashed red…
Rustle rustle…
The pages of the forbidden book fluttered in the wind. In sync with it, the forbidden book emitted a bright light.
“…”
Shielding my eyes from the blinding light, when I opened them again, a peculiar sight appeared.
“My name is Mimir. Guardian of the Well of Infinite Wisdom.”
A giant formed from mist-like substance emerged from the forbidden book, reminiscent of the fairies from storybooks I read as a child in a past life.
“I shall reward you for awakening me. I will answer precisely three questions.”
Even the reward is the same.
Does this prove parallel worlds exist?!
“What would you like to know?”
Amidst the confusion, one thing was clear:
You, little guy! You’re a lucky charm!
I grinned joyfully at the bracelet-turned-dragon.
– Whooom!
