Volume 2: Chapter 24 - Borrowing Books

After the duel with Shinika, my reputation within the Academy changed once again. Previously, the students only saw me as a despicable and shameless noble who relied on family influence. But now, their opinions had clearly begun to change.

After all, everyone had personally witnessed the duel between Shinika and me. A draw against the genius like Shinika was enough to prove my strength.

As I walked through the Academy corridors, I could already feel the difference in the gazes around me.

"That's Robert..."

"The one who fought Lady Shinika to a draw?"

"I heard even Teacher Klaus praised him."

Some students still looked doubtful, but compared to before, the hostility had decreased greatly. In fact, I could even see admiration in the eyes of many classmates.

In a sense, this was a good thing. Back then, I allowed others to misunderstand me for Toke's sake.

As long as he could live peacefully, sacrificing my reputation did not matter much. But now, Toke was already living a stable life.

There was no longer any reason for me to continue carrying the title of a despicable villain. With three heroines in the Academy, it's better to have a good reputation than a bad one.

Honestly speaking, no one enjoys hearing others curse them behind their back every day.

So the current change in atmosphere within the Academy wasn't bad at all.

At the very least, the mocking gazes and whispers had decreased significantly.

Even the noble students who previously avoided me now hesitated before speaking ill of me. After all, regardless of status, strength always earned respect.

...

Royal Academy Library,

This is one of the most prestigious libraries in the entire Empire, storing classics, ancient books, magic theories, and grimoires from Ancient times.

It is said to be one of the biggest in the world after the Elves and Dragons. Many long lived races are said to have visited it to learn about Archaic Magic and History.

As I stepped inside the library, a faint scent of old paper immediately entered my nose.

Rows upon rows of towering bookshelves stretched endlessly into the distance, creating a magnificent scene capable of stunning anyone visiting for the first time and I was no exception.

"So huge..."

I couldn't help but marvel at the sight before me. This library was even bigger than biggest library I had seen in my past life.

Strangely enough, there weren't many students in this library. The whole place looked empty and quite as if it had been abandoned since the ends of times.

But that doesn't surprise me. Most nobles attending the Royal Academy came here to build connections, socialize, or improve their status. For them, studying wasn't truly necessary.

Unlike my previous world, where education directly influenced careers and survival, nobles in this world were born with status, wealth, and influence from the very beginning.

As long as they inherited their family properly, their future was already secured.

When I walked deeper inside, my eyes began scanning the countless books arranged neatly across the shelves.

My goal this time was All Attribute Magic Theory written by Great Mage - Mira Aetheria Grandis, referred to me by my former Magic Teacher at home.

During the Era of Chaos, the First Emperor of the Antasia Empire, the Radiant King, wasn't the only hero of the times. There were many who could be mentioned along with him, and many who were ahead of him.

Mira Aetheria Grandis was one such person. No one knows her Origin, and no one knows her past.

The only known information that was passed down in history is that she was the most fearsome Magician of that Era. It is said that her research in magic had reached the realm of the Gods.

In the novel, there was no mention of her character, neither as a supporting role nor as a villain. It's probably because novels only show the protagonist's perspective, not the whole world's perspective.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

"Eternal Silence.... Tsk, it sure has a nice name. Let's see what it is. Fuck a story of a Duchess and Butler!"

"The Duke and the Maid"

"The Mandarin Ducks"

An entire shelf was filled with the romance-type gossipy stories.

It was only then that I noticed a small sticker on top of the shelf, 'Romance.'

"Romance Genre"

"So there is a sticker pointing to the type of books on that shelf! How convenient?"

"If that's the case, I should be able to find the book quickly."

Next, I went through all the shelves.

History, Geography, Mathematics, Magic Theory, Fire Attribute, Wind Attribute, Thunder Attribute, etc.

I went through all sections and I found the book about the Gravity Magic but the book written by Mira Aetheria Grandis was nowhere in sight.

Helpless, I could only go and ask the Librarian, hoping that she could give me some clues.

But when I saw her, I couldn't help but be stunned.

Beautiful...

In all my life, I had never seen anyone so beautiful. Not even current Lia, Yumina, Aisha, or Shinika could compare to her.

Her long hair flowed like liquid moonlight, cascading down her back in soft, silken strands that shimmered faintly under the evening glow. A few loose locks framed her face, swaying gently with the breeze, giving her an unintentional elegance that no noble lady could imitate.

Resting lightly upon her nose was a delicate pair of glasses, with faint silver frames which blended seamlessly with her ethereal aura. The lenses occasionally caught the light, reflecting a soft glimmer that added a subtle layer of mystery to her already otherworldly presence.

Her features were delicate to the point of perfection—slender nose, soft lips, and pale skin that seemed untouched by the harshness of life.

She wore a fitted black turtleneck beneath a long dark teal coat that rested loosely around her figure. Silver embroidery traced softly along the cuffs and collar.

The coat remained open at the front, revealing the smooth lines of her slender waist before falling gracefully down near her thighs.

Below, she wore a pleated black skirt paired with black stockings, which perfectly fit her slender legs and accentuated them.

She sat on a chair quietly, turning a page of a book with slow, graceful movements before looking at me.

"How long are you going to keep looking?"

The pleasant voice brought me back to my senses, and I realised my rudeness.

"Ah, I am sorry. I didn't mean to stare at you."

I quickly apologised for my rudeness.

Who is this? Why don't I remember seeing such a beautiful Character in the novel.

And why do I feel a sense of goodwill and closeness to her? It's so strange. Is it Charm Magic or something similar? But why can't I feel any Magical fluctuations?

The silver-haired girl observed me quietly for another second before closing her book completely.

"It is fine; most people react similarly when meeting me for the first time. So, I will believe you for now. But don't go staring at others; it's very rude."

I nodded at her words because she was right. It was indeed abnormal to stare at girls.

"So what are you here for, junior?"

When she looked at me with her red eyes, I felt a strange sense of pressure.

"Uh! Um... I am looking for the book All Attribute Magic Theory written by Great Mage Mira Aetheria Grandis. But I can't find it anywhere in the library. Can the senior help me look into the registry and find where it is?"

"All Attribute Magic Theory, let me check..."

The girl tapped on the magic crystal on the table, and a virtual window popped up in front of her; then she started browsing through it.

Magic Crystals are a special product of this world. They are found in the deepest parts of dungeons and secret realms, and they contain immense Magic Power.

By utilising the Magic Power within them, one could create all kinds of Magical devices such as the one in front of the long-haired girl. This one's function was simple; it was a storage Magic Crystal which could record information and then display it in holographic format.

It was similar to Computer and Smartphones, with the only difference being that you could only use it to record information like a notepad and nothing else.

Sometimes, I couldn't help but suspect that the author deliberately promoted the technology in this world but also restricted them.

Because in terms of technology, the overall development of this world wasn't far behind the Modern world, but it is limited to the Western Continent, and other Continents are far behind.

For example, the Western Continent has Magical Trains, Magical Aircrafts, Magic Cannons, etc and they are all powered by Magic Power. In terms of efficiency, Magic Power is much better than fossil fuels as it doesn't cause any pollution.

But very few of them are actually available in the Antasia Empire because the centre of this Magical development is the Magic Kingdom in the Western Continent, which is separated by the Vast Sea in the middle.

Returning to the main subject, I looked at the silver-haired girl, waiting for her answer.

"You're lucky, junior. Most of the copies of this book have been borrowed. But one was returned this morning; let me get it for you."

After leaving those words behind, she walked deeper into the library.

I subconsciously watched her figure disappear between the towering shelves before finally recovering my senses.

...What am I even staring at?

I shook my head and let out a small cough to hide my embarrassment, but I couldn't help but think about the strange closeness and attraction I felt from her.

A few minutes later—

Tap... Tap...

The faint sound of footsteps echoed through the quiet library, and she soon returned, carrying an old dark-blue book in her hands.

"Here, this is the book you want!"

She pushed the book toward me calmly.

"All Attribute Magic Theory"— By Mira Aetheria Grandis

On the cover, golden letters were engraved neatly.

Indeed, this was the book I was looking for.

"Thank you, Senior Sister. I am sorry to have troubled you."

"It's okay; this is my duty."

The silver-haired girl replied calmly.

"Then, Senior, can you register these two books? I would like to borrow them."

I placed the two books onto the registration desk.

"Okay but for how long?"

"A month would be fine."

The silver-haired girl nodded. She carefully took the books and placed them beside the magic crystal. Then, she lightly tapped the surface of the crystal with her finger.

A translucent holographic screen appeared in the air again, and she started filling in the details.

[ Name: Robert Von Anglus

Borrowed books: [ All Attribute Magic Theory ] [ Introduction to Gravity Magic ]

Status: Borrowing Approved

Duration: 30 Days ]

"It's done, you can now have these two books for a month. Be sure to return them before the deadline intact or there will be a fine."

"Don't worry senior, I will return them on time."

I reassured her before leaving the Library.

...