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Just as Matsuo and Frank finished their meal and walked towards the Number 1 A-Rank Library, they finally received the 100.000 Contribution Points, which were sent automatically into their Crests, which made a floating scroll appear in front of them, showing the increase in numbers.
"With this, I have 132.200 Contribution Points, this is insane at my level…" said Frank.
"It really is. Although I will save mine for now, as I am planning on using them to purchase a strong Spell whenever I reach A-Rank and I can buy things from the Libraries again," said Matsuo.
"So the Libraries work like the Trinket Shop?" asked Frank.
"That's right. You cannot simply grab whatever you want when you go there like we were permitted to do so now. You will have to buy the Scroll or Book using Contribution Points. Everything is Contribution Points in here after all! And the things such as spells or techniques you can purchase there cost over a million Contribution Points, so it takes its time to gather," said Matsuo.
"One thing to remind you before you enter to pick a Skill, Frank, is that make sure to check something within your power, or at least something that won't overwhelm you whenever you use it."
"Are there aftereffects of it?" asked Frank.
"There are certain conditions that can happen to a magician that tries to use a Spell that is too advanced, and also a martial artist who tries to use a technique too advanced for their constitution. Such as Mana Sickness, Mana Quality Decreasing, or even in some cases where Mana just stops regenerating naturally."
"That would be certainly terrible for me…" said Frank.
"…In the case of a martial artist, their muscles might burst, their bones could even crack, or even their skin would peel off their flesh, and you would need to receive the help of professional healers to cure your wounds… some people had been kept with permanent damage into their pressure points, being unable to use their Life Energy around their bodies to fight. Make sure to not get something that might overexert your body or mind," said Matsuo.
"I see… (I guess I will not simply pick an overpowered Spell, although I was not thinking about it anyways… Even if were to not get any after effect, such Spells or Techniques would need exorbitant amounts of Mana. Like something that cost 1000 MP, but I only have a bit over 100 MP, I would not be able to use it straight away for a long time…)" said Frank. As Matsuo had hoped, Frank had already foreseen that many of the Spells and Techniques that would be present there would not be of much use to him straight away and that he would need to wait a lot of time before he could even fathom to use one.
After a few minutes of walking around the large territory of the clan, Matsuo and Frank finally reached the Library for A-Rank Clan Members, which had the number 1 in front of its gate.
However, there was no one protecting it or anything at all, and Matsuo invited Frank to simply get in by opening the door.
"Why is there no one here? This is really weird, I was half-expecting Hinata to appear here…" said Frank.
"Hahaha, Hinata can't be everywhere… well, sometimes. But these Libraries run automatically through the powers of our Great Ancestor. Similar magic than the crests we possess," said Matsuo.
"They're similar to the crests? What do you mean? Like… Spells? Magic Constructs?" asked Frank.
"Indeed. It is something named Magical Constructs. They're advanced types of runes and spells, which are combined together through the use of immensely advanced magic proficiency and power. They are so advanced that they are similar to computers, if not better… It could be said that they're similar to your Ability, a System of sorts. That is the power within our crests, and also within these Libraries, there is a special Artificial Magic Intelligence, or AMI, for short, that distributes items in here and reduces the number of Contribution Points from you whenever you make a purchase… Ami should have already gotten the notice of our visit here, so she will greet you well. Ami has the voice and personality of a young girl, so treat her well, okay?" asked Matsuo.
"A System? And it even has an AI… Well, alright, I will be gentle with her," said Frank.
"Ahh, that sounded quite creepy… It is not like you're going to have your first time or something…" said Matsuo.
"Creepy? What is even in your mind?!" asked Frank, entering the Library as he left Matsuo laughing for a bit.
"Really, this guy always gets me off track sometimes with his weird jokes…" said Frank as he sighed, entering the large library, filled with many bookshelves and other shelves filled with scrolls. The entire place was peaceful, and Frank could even feel a sense of mysticism within the place.
As Frank admired the place, the sudden voice of a young girl resonated within the entire place, as yellow light began to rush through the walls, forming in the middle of the place as some kind of holographic figure, resembling a young princess-like girl.
"Welcome to the Library for A-Rank Clan Members, F-Rank Clan Member, Frank," said the girl with a mechanical voice yet still holding some tenderness within her.
"(I just realized that my name itself can be easily used to make fun of my Rank in the Clan… And why is it still F-Rank? I defeated an Oni! Sigh…) Ah, hello… Ami-chan?" asked Frank.
"That's correct, my name is AMI, which means Artificial Magic Intelligence," said Ami.
"I've come here to pick a Technique or Spell, which has been a gift given to me by the Elders," said Frank.
"Yes, your visit here has already been informed to me beforehand, Frank. You may pick any Spell or Technique Scroll or Book within this place, whenever you have decided, please, bring it to that desk," said Ami.
"Very well… Err, Ami-chan, can I ask you about what each Technique or Spell is about?" asked Frank.
"Oh, of course. If you feel any kind of doubt or are curious about the desired item, please feel free to ask me its details. I have registered every item here within my database," said Ami.
"Amazing… And thanks," said Frank.
"It is a pleasure to help you, Frank," said Ami.
Frank sighed in relief knowing that Ami could help resolve any doubts he had, as he finally began to inspect every book and scroll around.
The Library was divided into many sections, with many categories.
There were two larger sections, Spells, and Techniques, which were where most of the techniques and spells were divided into, for an easier approach and search.
After inspecting many Spells and Techniques that were way too strong for his body, mind, or soul to be able to wield, he found a few Spells that could be useful.
There were strong elemental Spells, such as Terrain Magic, which could let Frank manipulate the earth around him, which he found could be incredibly useful.
This magic even encompassed things such as the concrete in the streets, or anything related to 'Earth', even the concrete, which was made out of rock dust served.
He also could use it in Terra, as most of the surroundings were simply dirt and grass… literally, anywhere he could be, this Magic would always be useful.
Another type of Spells encompassed the category of Water Magic, the manipulation of Water on its totality, which even let Frank shape it as lethal weapons, sharp water spears, water blades, and more. Some of such were even capable of draining the water out of living beings, although they had many restrictions.
There were other Spells can drain Life Energy instead, or even Mana, just as Ginseng, but all of them seemed to be part of different types of categories, which needed a previous proficiency with certain other spells.
Although Frank could learn them instantly through his Ability, it didn't exactly mean that he would get the best results from such Skills, unless he were to be rather familiar with other Spells of the same category. Some of such Spells seemed to be very costly in Mana, only recommended for those who had attained what was called a 'Sorcerer' Title within magicians.
Frank discovered how useful Ami was, as she explained to him every Spell that he was curious about without seeming annoyed or tired of him.
For a few moments, Frank even wondered if she was simply an AI or something else. She seemed rather vivid, but her responses were still mechanical in nature, so he was not completely sure.
Frank searched through important areas, such as body strengthening, but most of the good ones would most likely burst his entire body into pieces, while the ones that seemed doable were strange and had weird effects that he was not interested in at the moment.
He also searched if there was anything related to threads, but he found very little, as this Clan didn't specialize in the usage of threads to fight. The only useful thing he found was a Spell named 'Light Threads', which let the user conjure threads made out of light, that could be used to trap enemies, or even seal them to an extent. But its requirements in Mana and mastery were very high.
In the Healing department, there were a few more than threads, but nothing crazy such as 'Revive' Spells, although there were Spells to heal ailments, Healing Spells was often simply a bit stronger than the previous one, improving only on the intensity of the healing and nothing more around it.
Frank believed that his 'Gift of Life' was quite good, and it even could heal status ailments to an extent, so he believed that he would be able to make it stronger as he progressed.
Frank then looked for anything in 'variety', but aside from the Terrain and Water Magic, there was only Light and Fire Magic, which was what this Clan specialized on.
However, as Frank looked through the 'Miscellaneous' Section, he found a certain Technique that could be fitting for what had Matsuo told him before, which actually made him think a lot about how to progress…
"Light Clone Technique? Ami, could you explain to me a bit about this one?" asked Frank.
"Oh, this Scroll teaches an old technique within our clan that has been underdeveloped except a few talented ones who had developed it greatly, such as Hinata-sama…"
"Hinata?! So that is why she is… in various places…" said Frank.
"Indeed. Hinata-sama is a strong specialist of this Technique, having mastered it to the point of being able to create multiple Clones,"
"This Technique lets the conjurer create one or more clones made out of pure light. The amount of time that they can last is often an hour or a bit more, depending on the amount of Mana used in them… At your level, Frank, you can only create one,"
"Can I use my spells and techniques with it?" asked Frank.
"Indeed. But the power they exert is reduced greatly. However, as you progress and attain mastery over it, more power can be exerted through a Light Clone," said Ami.
"Amazing… (This means that I can use this Clone to spam Skills and train them, right? It could come helpful in battle as well… There isn't anything like Golem Creation here, or anything like Spirit Calling either, so I will just pick this one)" thought Frank.
"Very well, I will pick this one," said Frank, putting it on the desk.
"Very well… Ding! The exchange for one free pick within the Library has been fulfilled successfully, you may now leave," said Ami.
"Thanks a lot for answering my stupid questions, you've been of great help, Ami-chan," said Frank.
"It is but my duty, Frank," said Ami.
Frank finally got out of the Library as Matsuo greeted him with a grin.
"So what did you pick?" asked Matsuo.
"Guess…" said Frank, as he suddenly learned the Technique and immediately activated it, creating a clone of himself, which was just identical to him.
"Eh?! That's… like Hinata!" said Matsuo.
"That's right! I will use this Clone to train my Skills even more, even while sleeping!" said Frank.
"What a cheater… But that's good, it is nice that you're motivated… Now, I shall go," said Matsuo.
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