The library was an imposing work of architecture it stood three stories high and the facade was integrated with floor to ceiling picture windows. The entirety of the building being constructed of painted white stone block gave it an almost modern composition.

Entering the library Rick found himself in a large entranceway decorated with marble statues of scholarly looking men and women. At the opposite end of this black slate tiled foyer stood large wooden double doors allowing passage into the main area.

Flanking these interior doors stood two guards dressed in red and white uniforms equipped with luxuriously crafted silver swords. They wore polished scale mail pauldrons on their shoulders reflecting light off them. Fastened to their uniforms draped down their backs hung red and white Fleur-De-Lis Patterned capes.

As Rick made his way toward the entrance one of the guards spoke up.

"Good day sir may I please verify your membership card" [Guard]

"This is my first visit and have not yet acquired a card and have yet to be informed how I may obtain one." [Rick]

"Please follow me inside to the front desk and they will brief you on the process." [Guard]

Following the guard, Rick began wondering why they would have such tight security for a library. Then it finally dawns on him that he was thinking of this place as if it was a part of his world. They do not have printing presses in this era each and every book in this place was created by hand. The entire book would be hand written and the paper used I am sure isn't wood paper it may be rag paper or something similar the papyrus.

Even in the real world in our past books cost quite allot and only nobles and monasteries had them. If you think of it that way isn't this place like walking into a bank vault? If you sold all these books it would be a fortune.

The guard stopped at a long desk where a woman was keeping herself busy organizing books that she stacked on a small wheeled cart to reshelve later. She wore a knee-length red skirt with a red jacket and white shirt matching the same colors of the guard's uniforms. Her long black hair was braided from the front into a ponytail down her back. The clothes she wore and how she styled her hair gave her a prim and proper look.

"This gentleman wishes to become a member this is his first visit and is not familiar with the process" [Guard]

The librarian looked over to the guard responding with quiet thanks. He gave her a quick nod and returned to his post. The librarian set the books down and approached Rick with her head slightly lowered. She stood silently before him with a timid upward glance her mouth opened to speak then closed as her cheeks grew flushed.

hehe, this girl is so shy it's really cute though! I feel like teasing her a little bit but she may run away from me.

"Hello I'm Cedric Crownguard this library is incredible you must really like working here."

"Hi I'm Cynthia y-yes I love to read and it looks like a palace in here its so beautiful." Answering him her voice trailed off to a whisper.

"I am a [Chosen] and new to the city and would like to become a member of this library" Rick explained.

When she heard [Chosen] she forgot her shyness for a few seconds looking up at him while her mouth dropped open.

Rick chuckled at her responce. "I know I am not a member of this city officially, but I hope that you can explain all of what is needed for me to become a lobrary member." Rick asked

Hearing him say that she lossened up and began to explain the process.

"That is fine you do not need to be a resident here. To become a member a yearly fee is required. After you pay this fee you are then given a membership card" [Cynthia]

"If you could please turn around and take a look at the libraries main room for a moment."

Rick turned around surveying the room. Expertly hand carved bookshelves made to look like ivy vines had grown up and out their sides surrounded the room. In the center of this room rows of desks with privacy, panels had been made available for members to read at. The floor was tiled in black marble squares with black marble columns reaching from the floor to the ceiling. The middle of 2nd and 3rd floor are cutaway so that you can see up into each floor. Large black wood curving staircases with bronze tube railings rose to the upper decks on both sides of the expansive area.

The decor gave it a lavish ambiance as if you stepped into some affluent king's palace study. Potted plants and statues of different sizes embellished each floor, while museum quality paintings graced the stunningly designed black wood paneled walls.

Cynthia then spoke up and continued to explain. Cedric listened to her while continuing to look around.

"This lower level has many books but they are basic and general purpose. The books assigned to the upper levels are older or more informative the higher you go. If you really wish to study a subject in detail or read long past knowledge you need access to the upper floors. The membership is branched into three ranks bronze, silver, and gold. Bronze is 1st floor access only then Silver is 1st and 2nd floor, finally the Gold rank allows all access. The yearly fee for each of these ranks are 5 gold Bronze, 10 gold Silver, and 15 gold for the Gold rank." Cynthia explained to Rick.

Rick turned back to her with his head slightly tilted to the side thinking it through. That is a lot of gold but it is for a year. I am quite sure I won't be around that long but I don't want to mess around either it would benefit me to gain access to the preferred materials. I want to absorb all I can before moving out in the middle of the wilderness.

"Excellent Cynthia it is a lot of money for me right now but, I want the Gold rank that gives me full access to every floor." Rick said

He withdrew 15 gold coins from his inventory and handed the coins over to Cynthia. She placed them in a heavy looking iron lock box behind her on the counter and then rummaged around in a desk drawer until she found what she had been searching for. Cynthia handed a white blank Metal card slightly larger than a business card to Rick.

"This here is your library membership card. It looks blank right now but this is an enchanted item. Hold it in your hand and channel your mana into it." She instructed.

Rick took the card and slowly leaked mana into the white card then red text appeared reading "Silverhall Library" with a red icon of an open book below it. Somehow his name was printed out in the lower right corner.

This must be able to read info from my status screen that is kinda scary. I need to watch what people ask me to channel mana into I may be giving them all my status window info unknowingly. Rick warily thought to himself.

"That now is your personal card set it on the counter for a moment" Cynthia explained.

He set the card down like she asked and all the info vanished returning to a white blank card. Cynthia picked up the card then and held it before him to view.

"Once you let go of the card it will no longer display the info. Even when I hold it nothing happens and if I try to channel my mana into it nothing will happen. It is attuned to your mana presence now." She said.

She passed the card back to him and when it was back in his hand it flashed back to life displaying the info.

"Nice this way if I drop my card some random person can't use it to come in here and damage or steal books." Rick thought out loud.

She nodded along agreeing with him. Then she handed over one more item.

"This here is the gold rank badge it will work similar to the card channel your mana into it."

He again repeated the process and enchanted it with mana. While turning it over looking for a change in it.

"Now this is designed to be worn on your clothing. It can not be removed by a stranger unless they rip the cloth away with it. If someone does get their hands on it the badge will not stay fastened to their clothing. Everything we wear inadvertently absorbs a tiny bit of our mana and that badge can read who it belongs to."

He held it in his palm examining it. The badge was made of gold and designed to look like an open book similar to the icon on the membership card.

He pinned the badge to his shirt after checking it out.

"All you really need most of the time is to wear that badge to enter the library the card is more of a backup if you lose it. If someone doesn't recognize you they may ask for your card but that seldom happens the guards on each floor are fully aware of the ranking systems."

fufu looks like now that I got her talking all this time she isn't acting as shy now. Let's fix that, cue the evil laugh muhahaha.

"Now I'm all set I have full access to all the great books in here!"

He extended his hand to Cynthia when she took his hand to shake it he leaned in and kissed the back of her hand.

"Now I can come visit with you now once in a while, that's if you don't mind me bothering you."

Surprised by suddenly having him kiss her hand, Cynthis blushed. "I think I would like that" She quietly responded.

"Good I'm glad you don't see as a nuisance. I should let you get back to work now thanks again for all your help. I going to explore around here and see what interesting books I can find."

"Okay, Cedric if you need any help finding anything you can ask me I know where everything is in here."

He flashed her a smile and decided to head upstairs to start his search.

hmm, a new notice?

Attribute Increase: Cahrisma + 5

I guess a little smooth talk and cordial conversation can help increase charisma.

After a search through the 2nd-floor shelves, he had a small stack of books set aside to get him started. Walking back with one more book he put it on the pile and read the titles to decide which to read first.

A History of Etheraland The history of Etheraland covers the peoples inhabiting Etheraland from prehistory to the present. Men of The Mountain The history of the dwarven clans.

Ancestral Sacred Tree The history of the elves of the Royal Redwood Forest Human Hierarchy A study of the Human social System. The Art of Cookery A culinary book of techniques, recipes, and essentials to cooking. Introduction to Mining An introductory text and reference on mining. Highlighting latest approaches and technologies. Sailing into the Sunset The evolution of sailing ships. Contains directions and diagrams for building sailboats. Introduces the basics to sailing.

I guess I can just read them from the top down no real order needed to it.

The history of Etheraland: Contains the rise and struggle of the races against the monsters and at times themselves. He read about the exploration and discoveries of the continent's resources, landmarks, and geography. Many detailed region maps with cities towns and villages displayed show how vast and unsettled the land remains. The books maps only displayed this continent and some islands bordering it have been discovered.

There are still so many landmasses out there still to be discovered. What adventures and dangers are waiting? It makes me so excited I want to just run out of this town right now! I know that I need to prepare first though, I need to get stronger and learn more skills and at least some basic affinities. On to the next book, no time to waste. I need to read these faster I still things to finish today.

***********************************************************************************************

Men of the Mountain: It explained how the dwarves began as small independent clans often fighting each other over border disputes. The dwarves over time gradually developed into master craftsman the tools, weapons, and armor they created far exceeded what the other races could create. They began to grow wealthy trading with the humans and elves but over time the other races grew jealous and decided to try and take the wealth and crafted treasures from them.

This unified the Dwarven clans to fight back against a common enemy. The unending battles and raids dragged on and the dwarves grew tired of fighting and wish to do what they love most mine and craft. During these bloody days, the Dwarf leaders began to have dreams and visions from a dwarf named Falgrim Thunderfist, known today as the dwarves god. He told them to head north showing them a mountain to make their new home. The dwarves banded together and followed their new god's instructions hoping to regain a stable life once again.

The entire dwarf race migrated north into the mountains and began mining into an enormous mountain they hollowed it and sealed the entrance with a huge iron forged door that worked like a giant threaded bolt. The door was near six feet thick and when closing the massive door would turn into the iron reinforced threads of the door jam. fitting together like a bolt torqued into a nut. Once it was sealed there was no possible way to breach it.

It went on to discuss some of their achievements and the growth of the internal city inside the mountain. Outlining some discoveries they made in the building, crafting and mining. The book also had devoted a section to the dwarves alphabet and how their language evolved from the old clan days to current times.

******************************************************************************************

Ancestral Sacred Tree: Describes how the ancient elves began as a single race. The entire race lived in and around a tree large enough to hold a city. They thought of the tree as a sacred guardian and told stories of how it had been there since the beginning of time. The elves grew along with and infused nature into their culture becoming one with the forest that sheltered them.

Near the time that the dwarves began to migrate, the elves also receive dream visits from a beautiful elf goddess named Silandra Twilight. She told the elves that when the children reached a certain age they should be sent off into the deep forest to survive for a duration of time on their own as a coming of age custom. When this custom took root over the years the elves began to discover more about the surrounding massive forest. This custom also created an independence in them some groups found new and beautiful parts of the forest to move to and these separated groups evolved over time into the Wood Elves and Dark Elves.

It describes in detail how the elves magic grew and developed with the nature so ingrained in their culture. They could alter or enhance the trees and plants making picturesque homes out of living trees and vast stunning gardens if a human saw them they would weep from the beauty of it. The final chapters also tracked the progress of the elven language and it changes.

I have been pushing myself to read faster but still didn't I read that last book really fast? That thing is really thick and I can remember it all. Is my college studying abilities helping me to read quicker and retain more?

*********************************************************************************************************

Human Hierarchy: The early humans mainly lived in tribes using primitive tools to scratch out a place to live. They over time moved out of the hunter gather era into farming and animal herding. Then began taming larger animals like horses. This extended their range of traveled this led to trading and fighting. Horses eventually became integrated into the Humans war strategies in an incompetent use. During this era, the humans like the other races received instruction from their god. The Human god Balin Brightblade taught them a similar copy of Earth's Feudal System from our medieval times.

The people became divided into groups slaves, serfs, commoners, freeman, knights/priests, nobles/high priests, prince/princess, king/queen. This system though it oppressed many it helped them build up the kingdom. The book provided a good amount of information on sword fighting techniques and styles developed over years of battles by Humans. The development of farming, animal breeding/herding, and taming and breaking mounts had devoted chapters of decades of trial and error in them. This book also covered the ancient and current evolution of the human language and alphabet.

Oookkaay now something just happened those last few chapters I read each page in a couple of seconds. I was so into the information on horses and taming mounts I didn't notice until the end. Thinking about it now was I in a trance, I felt disconnected?

Oh, I got a notice the icon is flashing.

New Skill Notice!

New Skill Learned!

Photoreading

Photoreading: process information instantly with complete comprehension

(Passive)

huh, holy crap?

Show Skill Photoreading!

Photoreading

You Harness the power of your subconscious!

Blink your eyes while focusing on something and your subconscious

will make an instant photo quality copy added to your memory.

ya, most definitely holy crap!!

I basically have a digital camera in my head now that can store the information to my memory! I can't win any battles with it but I can think of tons of ways to use it already! This will be incredible for crafts or arts. If I learned how to paint I could take instant action or scenery shots to paint on canvas at a later time. Any technologies I come across I can store the info to recreate a copy. Time to test it out with the remaining books I can check those other notices later.

****************************************************************************************

The Art of Cookery: This book covers numerous recipes of this world. Many of the animals are described and how to field dress, skin, and quarter the meat. Spices are defined and locations they tend to grow and how to prepare them for cooking.

Prepping food techniques: beating, chopping, creaming, crimping, deboning, de-seeding, dicing, filleting, glazing, grating, peeling, rolling, shredding, skinning, slicing, and tenderizing.

Cooking food techniques: baking, boiling, braising, broiling, frying, grilling, roasting, poaching, sautéing, steaming and stewing.

The history of cookware: The development of cookware materials used like Pottery, copper, and cast iron. Information on the design and use of Cauldrons, kitchenware, food storage, and utensils.

*********************************************************************************************

Introduction to Mining: This book covered chapters with Tunnel layouts and how to brace tunnels.Tools used in mining pickaxe, shovel, pry bar, crowbar, sledgehammer, and stone splitting wedges. Steps on how to locate and follow ore veins and what type of stone to look for. Techniques on the uses of mining tools in different types stone. How to cut tunnels for an incline or decline grade.

Gemstones and Crystals: locations to find them and how to mine them. Information on the studies of soils and stone and what to look for when searching for gems.

*********************************************************************************************

Sailing Into The Sunset: Explaining the history of boat and ship designs. Ships at the present time are still very small they really can not be classified as a ship compared to the real world, they have a similar appearance to the Norse longboats. They can not handle the open ocean and are used close to the coastlines.

What materials and wood to use and how to prepare them. Tools used by shipwrights: Axe, Auger, iron Mallet, Wooden Mallet, Drawing Knife, Chalk Box, Wrung Staff, Timber Scribe Knife, Pitch Ladle, Chisels, Planer, Adze, Saw, Measure Stick, Wood Clamps. Various sailing knots and riggings and how to apply them. Current era Ship and boat construction diagrams. How to use a compass and sextant to guide routes. Reading of currents and winds and how to sail with or aginst them. Reading of charts and maps.

Currently Used Boat Technology (Humans)

****************************************************************************************************

That new skill Photoreading helped me I wish I could bring this out of the game. What am I saying I wish I could take all my skills out haha. Now time to check out the rest of my notices and see how I did.

New Skill Notice!

New Skill Learned!

Shipwright: Level 3 (Intermediate 74%)

A shipwright builds and repairs boats and ships of all sizes.

Higher levels increase construction and repair times.

New Skill Notice!

New Skill Learned!

Mining: Level 4 (Intermediate 47%)

The skill of excavating rock and ore veins, gems and crystals.

Higher levels decrease mining speed and harvest amounts.

New Language Notice!

New Language Learned!

Elven Language: Level 2 (beginner 89%)

The ability to understand a foreign language.

Higher levels improve Communication and comprehension.

New Language Notice!

New Language Learned!

Dwarven Language: Level 8 (beginner 23%)

The ability to understand a foreign language.

Higher levels improve Communication and comprehension.

New Skill Notice!

New Skill Learned!

Taming: Level 5 (Beginner 14%)

The ability to tame animals

Higher levels increase to allow for more pets and easier taming.

New Skill Notice!

New Skill Learned!

Swords: Level 8 (Beginner 76%)

The skill of wielding swords of all types

Higher levels increase to allow for greater damage and technique.

New Affinity Notice!

New Affinity Learned!

Nature Affinity: Level 6 (Beginner 91%)

The magic ability to wield and resist an affinity.

Higher Levels increase overall control and resistance.

Skill Increase! Cooking: Level 8 (Advanced 48%)

Cynthia was not kidding about the books being more advanced up here. The combination of these books and my Photoreading not only am I getting stat increases I can also absorb skills that have been written about in detail. I am curious what my stats and skills look like now but I getting burned out on reading all these windows after power reading seven books! I shouldn't complain this was a huge gain for me today.

I am really shocked about the nature affinity, I learned my first magic. I need to go downstairs and see if Cynthia can tell me where I can learn more magic now. Then head over to the tailor shop before he closes for my other clothes.

Rick gathered the stack of books and descended the stairs carefully he placed the books on the end of the main desk. Cynthia noticed him at the desk from where she was arranging books on the first floor. Walking over to him from the bookshelf she asked if he needed any help. Rick told her he had finished reading the stack of books and was finished reading for the day.

When she saw the stack of books she smiled thinking that he was joking it would be impossible to read them all as quickly as he did. Before she had the chance to confirm he wasn't he asked her if she could tell him where he might find some books on magic in town.

She told him how the Mage Guild was the place that taught magic in town.

"You can learn magic and spells from the Mage guild but then you have to join. When a Mage joins the guild they allow them to learn a few very basic spells Then when their magic improves and perform missions their rank will increase over time allowing you to learn greater magic. It is a slow process and takes a couple years to become a decent mage." [Cybthia]

I don't have time for that though a couple years here is only months in the real world, but in a few days this town will be mobbed with [Players]. I would like to get first dibs on land out there along with a big jump on getting stronger than them. I need to try to get out of this town before they all join. [Rick]

Cynthia noticed Rick look depressed from what he just heard hoping he wasn't mad at her.

She also got lost in her thoughts for a moment as well.

I just noticed I have been talking to him all this time how is that possible. It takes me forever to become comfortable around people. I don't get it but something seems to attract me to him and I feel ....safe around him for some reason? [Cynthia]

It doesn't make sense he is good looking and really nice but I've only talked to him for a half hour so far. I wonder if it is because he is a [Chosen], that can't be right I am sure [Chosen] are like us some good some bad. [Cynthia]

As she tried to work out what was going on with this strange situation she had no idea about his [White Knight] title that draws the attention of females to him or that he also increased his charisma earlier making him a little more persuasive and engaging.

"Cynthia does the library having books on magic? They do not have to be spell books, just anything that describes magic use or theories. Even if it is old scrolls or manuscripts I think I would help me. The more advanced the book the better." [Rick]

She thought about it going through all the shelves of books in her head then remembered.

"We do yes they are on the third floor in a restricted room. All of the older and valuable books and scrolls are kept safely locked away there. You are a Gold Rank Member so it is fine if you wish to enter. The only rule is you need to have the third-floor guard accompany you when in there and can only use the room for half an hour a day." [Cynthia]

"That is no problem at all next time I come to visit I will go up there and check it out." [Rick]

She smiled glad she could help him perk up once again and assist his current studies.

"Okay, Cedric that will be fine I will see you then on your next visit."

"You try not to work too hard and have a great rest of the day beautiful"

She smiled at him and rolling her eyes, then walked back to arranging the books from earlier.

He exited the library and crossed the plaza cutting through the crowd of shoppers browsing the vendor tables. He was headed to the tailor and a little earlier than planed thanks to the new skill. Walking right in toward the back where he knew Vardon's work area was he found him there working on a dress.

The shoulders made of lace flowed seamlessly into the dark blue dress. He had tailored it into a corset shape top with a front slit lower. The dress had gold lace accents highlighting a deep-v cut top for maximum cleavage.

"Hello Vardon that is dress is incredible. It looks like a dress made for a beautiful noble woman to wear to the ball."

"Good day sir you are quite right but just between us, the woman is who order it is a spoiled brat. I don't like to talk bad about my customers but this one keeps coming back to me and is never happy. I could stitch every diamond in the kingdom onto this dress and she tells me it is too shiny for her." [Vandor]

Rick chuckled to himself at seeing the upright Vandor loose his cool over the snobby noble

"Enough of that I am sure sir is here to pick up your outfit" [Vandor]

"I showed up a little earlier today if it isn't finished I can return later." [Rick]

"No need I finished up early and have it just over there, excuse me a moment and I will bring it to you to try on" [Vardon]

Vardon brought a thin wood box over about and presented it to Rick. He accepted the box and placed it in his inventory and walk over to the mirror. Opening the box in his inventory he then equipped the outfit without even viewing it first so to surprise himself. He had an idea how it would look from the pattern sketches he viewed but it was only the vague idea.

"Oh wow, I am stunned Vardon this is perfect. I feel like I should be attending court with the nobles wearing this. I really like the first outfit you did but this is my new favorite outfit for when I am in the city."

new outfit reflected in the mirror

Once Vardon had gone over the outfit one last time Rick asked him a few questions about tailoring and embroidering. He had a small project he wanted to attempt on his own. He purchased a pair of scissors for tailoring and inquired if Vardon knew of anyone who sold leather, he made a mental note ofthe place then said goodbye and strolled back to the Inn.

Once in his room, he took out all his rolls of cloth, measuring tape, thread, needles, dyes, pattern parchment, pins, charcoal pencil, and his just bought scissors.

Taking out the shirt and pants from his other outfit he began pinning the shirt to the pattern paper. Then he traced it out with charcoal leaving the sleeves short.

The process was repeated with the pants pinning and outlining. Tracing the pants pattern he left the leg short he planning to make a pair of shorts.

Unpinning the clothes from the paper he cut along the lines making a pattern for the t-shirt and shorts.

Picking one of his lighter rolls of cloth and rolling it out he traced out the patterns on the cloth twice for each pattern.

Pinning the two cloth copies of the shirt together he had sewn the two together then he hemmed the sleeves the waistline and neckline making a basic t-shirt.

He did the exact same steps to complete a pair of shorts. Rick used the red dye marker to instantly color the t-shirt and shorts red and also dyed one of his spools of thread with the gold dye marker.

Laying the t-shirt flat on the desk he sharpened the charcoal to a point with his dagger and wrote out across the chest, Semper Fidelis which is the Marine Corps motto meaning (Always Faithful). Threading a needle with the gold thread he began to hand embroider the Semper Fidelis across the chest with the method Vardon shown him earlier. After 45 minutes he finished the shirt and placed it in his inventory along with is new shorts.

After completing the clothes, Rick opened the blinking notices to find he learned a recipe for the shirt, and shorts. The recipes in the game worked as a shortcut. Once you created something you then learn a recipe that you can use to instantly recreate it, if you have the proper resources in your inventory.

If recipes are used to recreate anything with stats though it will receive a deduction in quality depending on the skill used to create it. Closing out the windows he was ready to logout.

He walked over to the door and locked it then unequipped his boots and clothes laid down and disconnected.

Disconnect!