Chapter 694: Combination

Once again, Derek found himself inside the massive library of over 75 million books, maps, and more. This time, though, he had not just arrived at the residence, and he didn't have anything left to do other than wait for Ancestor Sheen. So, he had plenty of time to take in the true feel of the library.

"I just can't get over the fact that your sister said that this library is basically a small one in the System Universe," Derek said as he followed Alex through the place.

"Oh, honestly, she doesn't use the library—or any library, really—often, so she doesn't know a ton about it. Tanya doesn't do a lot of research and sticks to the physical side of things, even though she knows that anything on the subject of your affinity, whether research, fighting, crafting... anything, can help grow it," Alex replied. "But, by comparison to some of the libraries that I have seen or heard of, our private library here is tiny."

"Still hard to imagine," Derek said as he looked around to make sure they were alone. "I've never been much of a researcher—at least not in... this sense. I'll experiment with my skills and ask questions, but that's about it. I would read the occasional novel back where I grew up, but that was it. I can pretty much count the number of libraries that I've visited on one or two hands."

"You're missing out," Alex said as he led Derek between the stacks and through the library. The young man didn't have to stop and look anything up or look for anyone to help him find something. It seemed that he knew exactly where he was going and what he was looking for.

"I guess," Derek said as he looked around in wonder. "It is quite the place. I can certainly see how someone could venture in here and not come out for months or years."

"My longest was around eight months," Alex replied, then sighed. "That was right before my father decided it was a good idea for me to go to the training planet. Apparently, even if you are from House Spindle, 'spending so much time in a library is not healthy.'" He mimed with his hands. "Neither is being betrayed by your escort and left for dead on a planet teeming with monsters."

"That's for sure," Derek replied. "But one is definitely more fun than the other."

"I agree," Alex replied. "The library was way more fun—at least until I traveled with your group for a little while. Then it was only moderately more fun."

After a bunch more turns and at least another mile of walking at a very brisk pace, Alex finally stopped in front of a certain shelf. The young man looked up and down the shelf, then reached for a book. After pulling it out, he opened it and flipped through the entire thing in a matter of seconds.

"Did you... just read that entire book?" Derek asked.

"No, I skimmed it. It would take me a few minutes to get through it," Alex replied.

"A few... minutes?" Derek asked. He looked at the book Alex was holding again, then frowned. It wasn't the thickest book he'd ever seen, but it looked big enough to give some of the more popular fantasy books that Derek had read back on Earth a run for their money. "It would take me... at least a day or two to read that," he said, but he actually wasn't sure. I've never actually tried reading a whole book or anything at my current level and ability. I wonder if my wisdom and dexterity—among other things—would make it easier to read a book this size.

"As you know, research is an important part of my class," Alex said. "So I was lucky enough to get a reading passive that allows me to go through a book rather quickly."

"Oh, that makes sense," Derek said. "Are there skills that let you touch a book and automatically know all the contents inside?"

"Hmm..." Alex frowned and put the book back on the shelf. "I have heard of such a skill, but it is an S-ranked skill for researcher classes. Since my class is a bit of a hybrid, I won't be getting anything like that unless I'm very lucky in the future."

"I see." Derek nodded. "So, no running down the aisle with both hands out, taking in all the information of everything you touch, then?"

"No, not at all," Alex snorted. "Not even the S-ranked skill that I know of can do that. It's an active skill with a short cooldown. The few people with it would have to wait a few seconds between books. And they also have to process the information to really learn and remember it."

"I see," Derek replied, then looked at the book that Alex had just put away. "What was that book?"

"A book on skill progression for some of our soul thread-related skills," Alex replied as he ran his finger along the books and then took another one out. After flipping through it, he nodded and handed it to Derek. "As I said, we don't have anything that can directly help you with your affinity, but this will give you a basic understanding of skill combinations."

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Derek took the book. It was much smaller than the one he'd taken out before, and Derek let out a sigh. I should be able to read this one in a night, he thought. "Thanks," Derek said. "That should be perfect."

"Just leave it in your room when you are finished with it," Alex replied. "Our staff will return it where it belongs once you leave."

"Oh, that's good. I don't have to worry about returning it."

"Exactly," Alex replied with a nod. "Is there anything else you would like to look at?"

"This is probably all that I can get through in a single night," Derek replied. "Is there anything that you would recommend?"

"I would have to think about it," Alex said with a shake of his head. "If we had a few days or a week, then I could probably find something that would benefit you. But off the top of my head, that book that you're holding is probably the best one for you."

"What about something that could help with my cover story?" Derek asked.

"We may have a book on Velari and their cultures somewhere, but it's not something that I've been that interested in, so I would have to ask someone," Alex replied.

"Yeah, better not to do that," Derek replied. "It would probably come off as weird if someone saw me looking for information about something like that."

"I agree," Alex replied. "That book in your hand is one thing, as many people need to brush up on things like that from time to time. But you don't exactly forget or need to brush up on what your actual species is."

"That sounds about right," Derek replied, then put the book in his storage bracelet.

"Take that back out," Alex said when he saw the book disappear.

"Huh?"

"This is a library," Alex said. "You can't just take the book out of the library. You have to check it out."

"Oh, right," Derek laughed, then flicked his wrist, and the book reappeared in his hand.

Not long after, they were out of the library and walking around the residence. Derek had enjoyed meeting most of the people from Alex's family, so, since he was supposed to be leaving with Alex and Ancestor Sheen the next morning, he made sure to go around and give them a proper farewell—especially Rook and Tanya.

Likely, they would all have dinner again in the evening, but there was always a chance—and not a small one—that not everyone would be there. Luckily, that didn't take much time. And, as he thought, not everyone was at dinner. Rook, the head of the Spindle Branch of House Loomis, had business to take care of and wasn't able to join them, and he also wouldn't be back for a few days.

Once all that was finished, Derek found himself back in his room, looking at the book he had checked out from the library. Just the first handful of pages were enlightening. Some he knew already from asking around, and some was news to him. From what he could tell, Greater Meditation was a core skill for multiple combinations, but when it reached 100% progression, he would have to choose only one.

After learning that, he dove into the book. He was happy to find out that just because a skill said 'Upgrade Unavailable' didn't mean that the skill had reached its limit. It was always possible that it could be essential to upgrading another skill. That let Derek breathe a sigh of relief because one of his favorite skills, which he had been using since the moment he received it, was in that category.

Of course, Derek didn't know exactly how Multi-Strike could be combined into something else, as it wasn't listed among any of the examples or core skills, but knowing that there was a possibility out there was enough for the time being. It also didn't hurt that Multi-Strike, though only D-rank, was still a skill worth having for any attack it could be used with.

There's just so much to this Origin System, Derek thought as he closed the book after finishing it. Well... maybe not a lot, just new stuff that I have to wrap my head around. It likely would have been easier for someone who didn't grow up without even knowing what a system was. Everyone would have to figure this stuff out coming from another system.

However, Derek was already experienced with having two other systems, so he didn't think it would take too long to work the Origin System out. This was especially true because the Universal System V3 that he originally had shared some similarities with the Origin System.

Derek put the book on his nightstand and checked his system time. It hadn't taken him too long to finish the book, as it was pretty small. He could also tell that there was a lot more that the book didn't cover. When Alex said it was the basics, he really meant it.

Let's hope that nothing else goes wrong and there aren't any other idiots out there looking to challenge the VIP guy to another duel. Garrett had a little bit of a reason, but I don't think anyone else does, he thought as he kicked off his boots and lay down in the bed. Then again, how does it go? I beat up the talented noble, so now the noble that is slightly more talented will want to duel? He chuckled at the thought. Being in the library brought back memories of some of the books he'd read when he was younger, and that was a theme that many of them had.

Good thing Sheen is on my side, and the patriarch seems to like me, Derek thought. Otherwise, those two would be the final bosses.

With that thought and a smile on his face, Derek closed his eyes. It hadn't been long since they left the training planet, but Derek was already missing having some of his friends around—especially since he knew that they were so close. He especially missed Silvi after the mediocre dinner they'd had.

How do we explain Silvi's race? She doesn't have the same Titles that I do. Will scanning her show that she is a Mythical Void Bunny or just a companion? While she is bonded with me, does my Enigma title also apply to her? His mind was racing a mile a minute, thinking about his companion, but soon he drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, Alex came to his room to get him. Sheen had arrived very early and was already waiting for them. Derek jumped up, and in seconds, he was ready to go. Walking outside with Alex, Derek saw Ancestor Sheen waiting in the courtyard for them.

"You've finally arrived, young friend," Sheen greeted Derek as soon as he saw him.

"Yeah, sorry, late night and I don't sleep much," Derek replied.

"Understandable," Sheen said. "Are you ready to go? Do you have everything you need?"

"As far as I know," Derek replied.

"Good," the elder of the clan said. Then he leaned in closer with his big grin. "I have a pass for a week that I've been saving. I think I'll join you on Origin Planet for a bit once we get there. If I'm coming out of retirement, where better to stock up than Origin City?"