There was someplace I needed to be since my memories lacked any fighting techniques from this world, my ingenuity would only get me so far when faced against styles and techniques that had been developed over hundreds of years of fighting with their abilities.
Wind-based abilities were never provided to me in the game so I wished to see if there was anything I could learn from books that filled the library. One was allowed to borrow three techniques from the library and none of them could cover the same emphasis if you took a book on body strengthening you couldn't take another. This was actually to develop the fighters into warriors rather than just people who only knew how to attack.
Hurried tapping came from behind me, and as I looked back I could see Franco hurrying down the hallway to get to me. As soon as he saw that I was looking back at him his light jog turned into a speedy walk. "Ah, Nikolai, it's good that I was able to catch up to you."
Both he and I were not good acquaintances much less friends before, so I paused wondering exactly he wanted with me. My eyes started at his cane though, there was still a metal cap at the end of it that I had forgotten to take off but my trousers were still snug on my hips so I didn't mind decorating his cane.
Noticing that I wasn't going to take the initiative he cleared his throat before continuing, "Yes, I see that you haven't lost your touch. Your speed and precision actually makes for a decent thief like you were before. Not the pickpocketing we did the last time we went out but actual crawls through the ruins."
My eyes lit up with the mention of ruins, ruins were now monster territory but had manmade traps in various areas where there could be treasure. Many of these treasures weren't weapons or items anymore as most of them had been taken away but many arrays around the area created a perfect environment to make certain things through the concentration of mana.
Some of the rarest of these were screens that came on every once in a while when they gathered enough energy. These screens usually had videos of martial artists performing techniques with voiceovers explaining everything, or various information about different subjects a few people hearing the audio logs have received enlightenment on how to better attune to their elements.
Many people have tried to write down the information but the effects were much less than the voice going over the information. It seemed as though the voice itself had something hidden within it so the information couldn't be copied in its completeness.
"A ruin is nearby?" tapping my chin I thought about it for a moment. "I would love to but I can not, there is too much for me to do at the moment. Especially since I don't know much about traps."
Franco waved a hand, "Actually that's the reason I bring it up now, we're leaving in a year's time this way all of us can train in our effective roles. Those two brutes are with me due to their roles as well, but it seems like I can't take Mikie as he's far too weak to take up a front liner role. I guess I can't just pick people based on looks."
"Why do I get tasked with traps?" I was considering teaming up with him as it could benefit me as well, but everyone knew the trap expert was the one who got injured extensively compared to other roles.
"The fight earlier, I was testing to see if my intuition was right but you were observing and analyzing the fight beforehand. Your eyes could see the subtle movements of the footwork that the winner used right? I saw it you knew who would win in seconds." Franco grinned, "That's exactly what one needs to be a good trap spotter. I provoked you to prove my thoughts, it won't happen again."
My eyes stayed focused on him for a few minutes before I finally nodded, "Get rid of the other guy too, we need someone who focuses on a shield, and someone who focuses on a medium-ranged weapon like a lance. With my agility and accuracy, I can grab skills that focus on bows."
"Medium ranged? Also why shields?"
"To guard and deflect attacks going towards the medium ranged person if we could coordinate their movements their power would be a force multiplier."
"Ha, I had almost forgotten you were a general's child." Franco rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment and nodded, "Sure, I'll look for people who fit that description."
"Also I get the 30% split of the group."
Franco paused for a moment, "Of course, trap spotters usually get a higher end of the cut, you know that!" he seemed dissatisfied but smiled none the less before quickly turning away and waving his hand farewell.
With that out of the way I walked to the library to check out books on wind techniques that involved bows, my air pressure rifles should also work with these techniques too. At the very least I should be able to change the techniques to fit with guns as well.
Getting to the library was still a long passageway, most of the places within the fortress can be accessed through the corridors and passageways without seeing natural sunlight. One can go through the courtyards to see the trees and grass but most people used those passageways so most of the times the inner workings we're silent and with only a few people moving along them that want to be left alone.
Other than Franco I only saw two more people along my twenty minute walk to the library. The internal doors we're always large wooden doors that were open, they would only be closed should someone try to attack through one of these entrances and could be locked from inside the hallways. This would be a magical seal rather than a physical one that was supplied by a magical array that ran along the hallway like veins through a living creature.
The thought made me think of my malleable beasts and if I could actually make an active array inside of them but I only had limited knowledge of arrays as it was so I didn't even know where to start or if it was feasible.
As I walked into the library I saw a shinning crystal placed in front of a desk, this was to test affinities to see which bookcases you'd have access to. Even though the information was guaranteed to be confidential between you and the librarian who gave you the card I was still nervous about revealing my new affinities as they didn't match what was on record for me. It was almost unheard of for people to gain more affinities after birth.
I sighed, knowing that I'd have to show off my wind affinity at some point though so there was no reason to not get my information updated since I needed a good foundation of knowledge.
An old man sat behind the counter, with his eyes closed and a pen in his hand, he looked to be in deep concentration so I waited for him to take notice of me. It wasn't until I heard light snoring that I realized my mistake, "This asshole is just sleeping‽"