- It's only normal. For a commoner, if they have a lucky encounter, they can either sell it to a noble student to make some money or points or make a connection. They could also simply learn it, and if they do it might change their life. For a noble, they gain more power, resulting in the increase of their and their family's standing and reputation. If they manage to get the book out of the academy they could even keep it as a family heritage and pass it down to the next leader of their family which would definitely make their family stronger the more time passes.
The librarian walks out of his office and stands in front of everybody.
- Well let's start the briefing session.
The students that were talking quieten and the librarian starts explaining.
- Let's see... Where should I start?
{Noah}
" What is going on?... From what I remember this guy is way more aggressive than that. Or maybe it was because I was trying to go to the second floor?"
- Ah! First, I should introduce myself! he says with a big smile. My name is Durand and I've been the librarian of the academy's library, for now, two years which makes me 24 years old. Obviously, I won't reveal what energy I wield.
Durand was a tall orange haired and grey-eyed man with a cheerful personality as long as you didn't disturb anyone while being in the library.
{Noah}
" That's obvious. Normally, you shouldn't reveal your energy to people that can or will be your enemy so that they can't build a counter strategy against your abilities, however, because of the coming-of-age ceremony it's not something that you can really hide."
- Let's start with the history of the Library. Back in the Dark Ages, when the kingdom had just been founded by the hero of light. The kingdom of Fayrak's first king was an oddball, apparently, he had a hobby of collecting all kinds of books. The books he mostly collected were magic theories, martial arts manuals, and Contract Records. While collecting these books, he realized that he had accumulated a terrifying amount of books, so he separated his books into two libraries. The first one is the Royal Library which is located in the royal palace, and the second one is here, this very library, the academy's library.
{Noah}
" I didn't know there was such a dumb story behind the creation of the royal and the academy's libraries. But with that story, it confirmed the fact that in this library too, there are some magic theories, martial arts manuals, and Contract Records from the Dark Ages and maybe even from the Modern Ages( the era starting from after the Dark Ages to the present is called Modern Ages)."
Durand continues.
- Now! The library has two types of books. The first ones are the registered books. They are the books that the library has complete possession of. For example, the books from the Dark Ages, books that were gifted from teachers, or even simple guests, anyways, for the registered books students may only borrow them and only for a limited amount of time. If the book is not returned after the date of return has been reached then we will automatically charge points and if you don't have any points you get suspended or expelled. Durand says with a cold look in his eyes.
Some of the students that were snickering and were amused when Durand mentioned the Point deduction penalty have now completely gone silent.
{Noah}
" It might sound harsh but that is the appropriate punishment. If there really are some magic theories, martial arts manuals, and Contract Records from the Dark Ages then they are priceless."
- Oh and obviously if you try to take them out of the academy, something worst awaits whoever is audacious enough to even try to take them out. he says with a smile going from ear to ear.
The students gulp.
- Now! The second ones are called, the unregistered books. As their name suggests, they are books that don't belong to the library. Some were brought here by mistake, while some were left here on purpose. What matters is that these books can be taken and whatever you do with them is up to whoever possesses them.
- Master? You heard that didn't you? asks Gancelot with a serious expression.
{Noah}
" As expected. A Gancelot really is sharp but.."
Noah looks around at the student's presents. While most students are celebrating the new quietly others are in deep thought. The corner of Noah's mouth raises forming a small smile, an amused smile.
{Noah}
" Just like I thought, we are not the only ones to have noticed what that last phrase meant"
- I heard it too. He said, "What matters is that these books can be taken and whatever you do with them is up to whoever possesses them."
- It means what I think doesn't it?
- I don't know. If you thought that it meant that whatever happens and anything that happens involving the unregistered book the academy will not interfere in it? Then, yes. That is exactly what it means.
{Noah}
" He's warning us, warning us to be aware of what it means to come in possession of an important book. But most are too focused on the fact that they can change their life if they are lucky and did not pay attention to the details."
Durand enters a row of bookshelves and comes back with a book. His weird behavior caught the attention of the students which made them calm down and focus on him. Durand throws the book with a lot of strength, abnormal strength for a mere librarian.
- For those who will still try to take the registered out of the academy's grounds. This is what happens when a registered book gets out of the school grounds.
A few seconds after he finishes his phrases something comes flying toward him at the speed of light. Durand catches it but the impact that was produced in large and sends gusts of wind into the library. When that happens the bookshelves are all surrounded by barriers. The students that were distracted by the wind now put their attention back on Durand. What they see is a window screen like the one that comes out of their watch and on the window, there is the face of Durand and some information.
- You see, the thing with the libraries is that they are both ancient artifacts, in other words, artifacts that were made during the Dark Ages. One of their ability is absolute return; the ability to go back to the library if somebody tries to get too far from the designated distance limit with a book. When it returns it activates its second ability; the information screen. The information screen shows the information of the last person that came in contact with the book.
{Noah}
" What! How!? Ancients artifacts are such a mystery."
- How does that even work!? asks Gancelot.
- Who knows. answer Durand. Ancient artifacts are mysteries. While we may understand how some works there are also some that we don't understand just like the libraries. Their methods of creation are not the only thing that is undiscovered.
Gancelot that had jumped off his chair due to the shock sits back down.
- The third ability, the ability that activates when the books are in danger of destruction or getting damaged protection. Lastly, the ability that restores and keep the books in their best condition; restoration and preservation.
- What about the floors? asks Noah.
- You are... The child that I stopped from heading to the second floor.
- so he really did try to go to the second floor. some students whisper amongst themselves.
- Maybe he got some info from his brothers. others say while snickering.
{Noah}
" Trying to say that I can't do anything by myself, huh."
- YOU!
Noah puts his hand in front of Gancelot.
- Don't mind them, Gancelot. Don't you know? Those that are exceptional will always have haters...
Some of the students show expressions of displease and frustration.
-... So you also should prepare yourself. he says while patting Gancleot's head
{Noah}
" It was only for a moment but I felt my Demonic Instinct trying to act up again."
{Durand}
"Oooh. That, without no doubt, was... this just got way more interesting."
- Alright! let's all calm down. I was just gonna start explaining the floors. Student Noah, you really need to work on your patience.
- You know me? asks Noah
- You are quite the popular one in the academy right now. answers Durand. Anyways, for the floors as you know or might not know, there are five floors and each floor is blocked by a barrier. The third ability protection is not only for the bookshelves it also protects each floor. The way to get past the barrier is simple, you don't even need permission. When you walk into the barrier, it will start pushing you back all you need is to endure the mental strain since it doesn't push you back physically but mentally.
A smile forms on Noah's lips.
{Noah}
" Lucky!"