Yo-ho! It’s author-sama here once again with chappy delivery! I wanted to write here something that would be either funny or piece of history how shitty my life is.

Instead I will get straight to the chappy.

Edited by: KenChi死

The building of the Grand Library was really something. Not only from outside. Oh, yes! I was let in… after a quick question if I had stolen the ring. We had a fast conversation that ended with guards telling me that they would contact the Blackwood family. They wanted some kind of proof of my identity to know how to describe my person in case if my humble persona was to be marked as criminal.

… Seriously? How many white haired magicians with double colored eyes are roaming the streets?

But! To the point! The building had many floors. How many? Very, very many. Each was about 10 meters tall and shelfs fully loaded with book were erected from the very bottom up to the ceiling

The air here was filled with… such a… peace? Serenity almost? Yet pressure of dignity was pushed right on your shoulders as you looked at “small” monuments placed here and there. There was a colossal statue of men sitting and reading a book in front of fountain. And all around that fountain branches and tables were placed. Very few were occupied.

Yet, when I looked at every single men and woman walking through the library. The only though that came in my mind that could be used to describe them was… “having a stick shoved riiight in the ass”.

But I am not here to judge anyone… who am I kidding? I will judge the shit out of them anyway. Cuz’ I can!

But first, lemme grab a few books. What would I need? Something about religion, for sure – just to better understand what kind of folks Aira and girls are. Something about politics, something about magic, bestiary would also be nice.

Let the hunt begins!

First book I took was recommended by Leon “Races of the world”, I also took from over there (section) a nice bestiary, from politic section I took first book that I have seen, from section about magic I found very interesting title “Magic as seed of corruption”

And now, all I need to do is to find some place without a people. Where I would grab a book and begin to read, every living creature begins to annoy me just by breathing. And thus, I continued my march to look for some secluded place.

But you will never believe who I met there! You simply won’t! oh, looks like I will waste a few seconds here, just to say “hi”. It’s important to enjoy yourself from time to time!

The person I have just mentioned was walking with a boy (well, he was 16 or so) that was literally adoring her! Oh boy, he did everything he could to make the girl look at her, yet she treated him like air and simply walked forward while reading the book.

So what did I do? I also picked the book, pretended I was deeply lost in thoughts, and took such path of walking, that soon I would for sure collide with our dear friend. well, collide is a bit too big of a word. Maybe we would hit each other shoulder… but that’s enough to steal her attention.

I didn’t need to wait long. Collision made girl drop her books. She hissed angrily.

“Look where you’re going you st…” aaaand she went silent right after that. “Well, hell-o Blondie…” I said almost singing “… what a wonderful coincidence that we have just bump into each other…” “B…Blondie?” The boy looked almost frustrated. He gasped. Oh boy! Like in an old drama movie! “How dare you insult such a fair lady! Do you even know, who you are talking to? Such a stray dog like you should…” “Watch your tongue or I’ll have it cut from your head…” oh no the song kicks in again… save your life be keeping whispers unsaid…. “… now, now… what are you reading… oh-ho books about fire magic? Aren’t you a water user? And the other book is… A nature magic? My my… Well, you know… I may not be an expert, but if you need to know something, I am willing to answer your questions, you know?” “How dare you…” The boy really can’t fit into the moment “May I ask you, to order your little dog to stop disturbing our wonderful chit-chat? For if he won’t stop barking I will pull his fangs off.” “You w…” “Stop it Mark! And why are you still following me?! Just go away already!” She was trembling a little “… I… I need to talk with this… gentlemen.”

Me? A gentlemen? Pfth… Hahaha! Made my day. Buuut let’s play along.

“But miss Gloria…” “Ah, let me guide you to a better place for a… conversation” I said while offering my arm to her. She took my invitation and soon we left, leaving angry kid alone. “Looks like I have rescued you from an obtrusive fan… You really want to talk with me, or it was just a bluff? Oh dear goddess, is it really so cold here? You are trembling!” “I am just being led by some savage beast, of course I would tremble! And yes, I want to talk with you… the fire magic you used in our duel… I have never seen nor read about something like that… where did you learned about it?” “Oh, I am not surprised you didn’t. It was my creation, used for the very first time.” “…How did you make it? I mean, how did you found such a way of using your magic?” “How old are you?” “W..What does it have in common w…” “My answer is complex. Now, how old are you?” “I am 19” “How long were you studying magic?” “9 years. I had just graduated the day of our duel.” “How many time have you fought?” “Once a week we had a practice duels. Nothing serious. I was also challenged a couple of time by other students.” “Mhhh, not quite what I asked. How many times was your life was in danger?”

Silence. It means never

“When you need to fight back for your life, when you are looking at how your enemies fights, when you wonder how to KILL, not defeat but kill, much stronger enemy… you simply find a new way. You, for all this time, were under protection. Of family, of the academy… even our duel took a place within barrier that restricted me from killing you… And how many spells that you know did you make by yourself, and how many were already prepared for you to read em’ and use em’. This way is, for sure, great. It can show you ways you would never find out by yourself… But you, from the very beginning, were using only that method. You know no other way of creating your own magic. Plus… you have no real skill in actual battle. You were but a lamb thrown in the cage of a tiger. Oh, and for the future – If you would fight with someone stronger then you that is not interested in hurting you… just act humble and play dead… And never… ever, poke a beast with a stick.” “I… I want a rematch!” She was confident… nah, not at all, but she was trying really hard to look confident “Not interested.” “W..WHY?!” “Why do you fight? For glory? For pride of your family? I fight to kill. I fight when I need to survive. To kill something that threatens me or when I need to eat. I find no pleasure in mindlessly taking life away… oh no, sorry I just reminded one case, when I actually did… oh no, sorry there it is yet another… and… eh, just forget the last sentence. Looks like I enjoy killing… Answering your question. If you would battle me, you could gather experience and maybe the glory you desire so much… I would gain nothing. What are you willing to offer for privilege of battling me?” “And what would you want?” “No, no, no, no! It is not how it works! You want something? Figure out how to get it by yourself. Now, pardon me… I have some books to read… go on with your study… but find yourself a place to experiment with new uses of what you already know. See ya, Blondie.” “Wait! I am not done yet! Hey! Stop ignoring me ! I am talking to y…”

I needed to waste a few more seconds to lose her in the labyrinth of bookshelves. But soon I found myself a nice, calm place. I am wondering what Blondie will think of for a fee to get herself a sparring match. I took off first book. The races if the world….

That’s it for today. A bit short, looks like I am getting lazy. In next chappy the action begins.

From time to time I will drop short chapters titled like “page from bestiary 1” aaaand then some monster would be described. Just for you to know what Zari had read