Being a Dragon Sage is not always a trip to the rainbows. Most of the time, if not every time, it's monochrome.
It's very much the same as being a military soldier where everyone thinks that it's all about shooting bad guys. In reality, military soldiers just clean public bathrooms and mop the floor of the barracks 99% of the time.
On the other hand, Dragon Sages is all about studying uncharted territories of magic. You have to go to the Library and self-study, self-study, and self-study only. It's all paper works. Discovering or inventing new magic at this point in modern times is a bit more challenging. Unlike the Middle Ages, almost everything mystic has been discovered at this point.
"Uh, this endless grind for knowledge again. I think I'll be studying for the rest of my life." I always mutter to myself whenever I enter the Dragon Sage Library gardens with a cup of coffee in my hand.
I no longer flaunt my pretty face at those maids again because I fear karma. I got traumatized for what happened to me and that trash can near the entrance two weeks ago, and I do not want to be a laughingstock again.
I went to the front desk and had my timecard stamped. Then I went straight to the main library to do my usual boring life.
The main library is a gigantic cathedral-style hall, with skyscraper bookshelves that contain all texts of knowledge; whether it's science or magic. After every shelf, there's a set of long wooden tables and chairs. Twenty floors of this library can be traversed by magical elevator platforms, or you can try the plain old gigantic spiral stairs if you're feeling athletic.
According to the Librarian, this library contains three billion books. Finding a reference for my thesis is not a problem but writing about a new form of magic is troublesome.
I went to the terminal and had my hexagram badge scanned by the computer.
[Welcome, Sage Ulysses Corasell]
"Search future prediction magic and timeline algorithm logs," I said
[Searching]
[Search Complete - Found 257 Results]
[Results are marked on your Library Map]
I pulled my badge out of the terminal, and a magical hologram screen appeared that showed a mini-map. I can easily find the books I want to see with this Library Map.
The library is old-fashioned, as I still have to find books myself. Unlike using the magical internet though, this library contains all the forbidden knowledge mankind has provided for two thousand years. To prevent data leakages to the public, they kept the information in the form of hard-bound old-fashioned books. This is the main privilege of being a Dragon Sage: the access to all hidden mystics discovered by mankind.
I was about to walk towards the magical platform to get to the second floor, but a familiar voice grabbed my attention.
"Good morning, Uly! You're early as usual, huh?"
It was Yehanna Lancelot who jollily greeted me. Being greeted by a beautiful girl like her is like a blessing in this boring morning of mine. Her cheerful smile, her twinkling ruby eyes, and her elegant posture give me more energy than my morning coffee.
"Good morning, Hanna. I still have lots of things to do for my thesis, that's why I'm early." I said.
"Oh? I thought you were a lazy basement-dwelling beast who would sleep until it's lunchtime. What's with the change of heart?" Yehanna asked.
As we both took the magical platform, we had a good view of the library. There are only about ten higher-ranked Dragon Sage in there who are busy deciphering ancient texts.
"All Dragon Sages here are talented individuals, except for me who passed because of pity. I need to work twice as hard as others to get to their level." I answered.
"Oh?" Yehanna's eyes twinkled.
"And my Dragonoid Contractor is an A-tier Dragonoid. I can't drag her down. I have to catch up to her. And... I have to be worthy of her."
Yehanna blushed speechlessly. She was caught off-guard by my words.
The platform already reached the second level, so I started walking. But right after my feet left the platform, Yehanna jumped on my back, her large bosoms pressing my shoulders' rear.
"Oh my, is that a proposal? You called me a cute nickname 'Hanna' first thing in the morning, and now you're all so serious about talking about catching up to me? I love that cool side of yours~"
"Shut up! Get off me! Your breasts are touching me!" I cried with my face which is red as a strawberry.
"No! I won't let go of my cute Dragon Sage! Kya~" Yehanna's hug from behind became tighter.
"I'd be feeling better if you call me handsome," I said. "Calling me cute is a low blow to my masculinity, you know."
"But you're not handsome at all!" Yehanna cried.
I don't know if I should be pissed at her or not.
I just let her go touchy on me until we reached a bookshelf where I can find my first three reference material book in the Clairvoyance Magic section. I grabbed the books and laid those books and my briefcase on the table.
"Oh, you're going to study already? Bummer, I want to know more about my Dragon Sage." Yehanna said in a disappointed tone. Then she immediately shifted back to an energetic mood. "Anything you want me to get you, my dear Uly?"
"Just Uly, don't add 'dear', for the love of God." I sighed. Then I lent her my Dragon Sage badge which has the minimap open. "Can you please get those first five books on the list for me?"
"Okay!" Yehanna replied. She turned away but then turned back to me almost immediately. She pressed her face up close and raised her index finger. "Oh, Uly... Can I ask you a small favor?"
"What is it?"
"Can you get me the record list of the 99th Dragon Sage Batch List?"
"99th Dragon Sage Batch List?" I tilted my head. "That's my batch, right? Why do you need those?"
"My superiors in the Dragonoid Military Academy asked for the records. As a second lieutenant soldier who graduated from the academy, they want me to submit documents about my application in the Library."
I just remembered some things from the Dragonoid Military Academy. It is a collegiate-level school for dragonoids that offers a military four-year course. Once he or she graduates, he or she would be given an option to apply for a job either from the Metropolitan Guard, the Armed Forces, or the Dragon Sage Library.
Out of the three departments, the Dragon Sage Library gives the most prestige and honor from a graduate of the Dragonoid Military Academy. Only a select few Dragonoid soldiers are allowed to become Dragonoid Contractors like Yehanna Lancelot.
Even though a Dragonoid is already a graduate from that Dragonoid Military Academy, they are still required to submit their reports. I don't know why the military academy would want a list of us new Dragon Sages though.
Anyway, I can get that records list easily with my authority in the Library. I see no problem with that.
"Okay. I'll send it to you later, maybe this afternoon." I replied with a smile.
"Great! Thanks, Uly~"
Yehanna walked away elegantly, her long dark-blue hair bouncing as she makes a step. When she took the magical platform upwards, I decided to open my briefcase and took out my notes, pen, and an old-fashioned mystic scroll.
I still have to decipher these three books to get the magic formula I needed. As I write, I muttered the words in the book.
"Spacial distortion, dimensional opening, heaven-sealing blade. This thesis thing is tedious."
After thirty minutes of writing, the wooden table immediately popped a hologram screen. I almost had a heart attack because I forgot that the wooden tables are magical, and can also be used as a high-tech kiosk.
[Emergency Quest: Rescue Princess Amaryllis Viridescia]
[Service Credit: 5 Points]