I trudge out of the classroom, following the herd of students already making their way to the school library. Elara bounces beside me, her vibrant blue hair matching her energy. The campus comes alive around us as more students shuffle out of their respective classrooms, converging towards the colossal structure that is our school's library.
As we enter the library, the smell of old paper and bound leather greets me, familiar and comforting. The library is an impressive sight; bookshelves extend high, each filled to the brim with various books, scrolls, and manuscripts. A gentle hum of activity fills the air, the murmur of students, the rustle of pages being turned, the soft footsteps of the librarian.
Her name is Ms. Calliope, the ever-present and eternally patient librarian of our Academy. I remember her clearly from my book. Her hair is a mass of curly brown locks, cascading down her back, and her round spectacles sit perched on her nose, reflecting the soft light from the chandelier above. Her dark green eyes always hold an aura of wisdom and patience. She was a side character, but I made her the image of a typical benevolent librarian.
"Hello there, kids," she greets us with a warm smile, her voice a soothing hum against the ambient noise of the library. She walks up to us, her skirt swishing against the marble floor. "You all must be here because you can sense your mana. Now, if you look to your left, I've sorted out those four shelves with books relating to mana control. Some methods are similar to others, and some are completely different. Choose carefully as the choice you make can't be reversed. There are many other books throughout the library, so if you can't find any that suit you, feel free to look around."
With that said, she turns, walking away to assist other students who are streaming into the library. I look around, and I spot several students from my homeroom class. There's Biana, sprawled on a chair and already fast asleep. Oliver is in a corner, pouring over a thick tome. Kaida is huddled with Flora, whispering and giggling. Lastly, Isadora is simply sitting on a table, looking bored and disinterested. She focuses on aura training and clearly doesn't care much for this mana magic stuff.
Suddenly, Elara's excited voice pulls me out of my observations. "Hey V! You want to look through the books together?!"
I muster a gentle smile, meeting her gaze. "Haha, I'm sorry but I want to look around the library first." She seems a little disappointed but nods nonetheless before heading towards the shelves the librarian pointed out.
Avoiding Biana, who is predictably sleeping in one corner, I venture deeper into the library. I already have my plan. Bookshelf number 512, 618, 732, 879, 927, and 1070. Each one holds a fragment of the most potent mana core enhancement technique. All I have to do is piece them together.
Walking through the labyrinth of bookshelves, I recall my story's specific words. "When one treads in the shadows, the light becomes clearer." That was the key to finding the correct books. It was a riddle, of sorts, indicating that the books I need are hidden among topics that are completely unrelated to mana or magic.
Each of these shelves contains a part of the best mana core enhancement technique, scattered throughout the library. To anyone else, they would appear as incomplete and unrelated scraps of information. But to me, the author of their story, they are the key to mastering the magic I need. I simply need to find the right pages and bring them together, and I'll have the secret method for my use. Normally the Mason would've done some stupid side quest with some old man finding this, I don't have time for that shit.
The technique I'm after is potent, yes, but it's also resource-intensive. Expensive reagents, rare artifacts, specific conditions… it's not something one can casually pursue. But luckily, I've been planning for this for a while now. Thanks to Darius's regular auctions, I've managed to accumulate a sizeable stash of magical resources. While I was never able to buy exclusive or expensive items, I've got my hands on just enough to get by. Students such as Isabella, Oliver, and Biana don't really need to be here. Since they are Nobles their parents already went through the trouble of finding them suitable techniques.
With the resources I've hoarded over time, I estimate I can reach stage 3 as a mage within a year or so, assuming everything goes smoothly. Of course, that's a big assumption. I'm not some genius however I won't deny that I have cheats, with my knowledge alone I should have no trouble keeping up with the others.
A sigh escapes my lips as I consider the curse that's been a thorn in my side. Damn, that thing. I hope I can manage to use some magic, I can use mana internally as it can't leak out but I'm not sure If I could ever cast a spell. Even if I manage to become a stage 3 mage, I might only be able to use stage one or if I'm lucky, stage 2 magic. All of this hinges on whether or not I can fully understand and implement the technique.
Navigating through the library, I finally find the books that I need. They're scattered across different shelves, hidden amidst a sea of other books. To the untrained eye, they'd appear unrelated. But I know better. I know they each hold a part of the puzzle that I need to solve.
With the necessary tomes in my grasp, I find a secluded corner, away from prying eyes. Taking a seat at a deserted table, I start flipping through the pages, my eyes scanning the text. As I find the sections I need, I take out my TSI and capture images of the relevant pages.
The TSI hums softly as it captures each page, saving them into its memory. In this quiet corner of the library, I feel a sense of anticipation building within me. I'm close, so close to getting the answers I need. The process of becoming a mage is not difficult to understand.
The standard process involves stimulating one's mana core to increase mana circulation, thereby escalating energy production within the core. The caveat being that it's a risky and delicate process. Any attempts to forcibly speed up the process could result in a mana overload, leading to dire consequences - exploding or even tearing the body and mind apart.
However, the technique I have on hand offers an alternative. Instead of using the inherent mana within, it proposes the absorption of ambient mana from one's surroundings. This absorbed mana is then to be circulated within the core, effectively decreasing the time necessary for core evolution.
As I pore over the details of the method, I realize that I have all the pieces in place to start. With cautious optimism, I decide to give it a try.
I close my eyes, reaching out to sense the mana around me. It's a delicate operation, a balance between control and acceptance. At first, it feels like trying to catch a fish with bare hands, slippery and elusive. But after a few frustrating minutes, I manage to absorb a sliver of mana.
With that mana in hand, I start to circulate it through my core, following the instructions laid out in the technique. But it's trickier than it sounds. The foreign energy bucks against my control, unaccustomed to being tamed.
Suddenly, a sharp pain shoots through me, pulling me out of my concentration. A metallic taste fills my mouth, and I cough up a mouthful of blood, a sign that I've pushed myself too hard.
Realizing that the surrounding mana is too sparse to sustain this method for now, I decide to stop, not wanting to further injure myself. A pang of disappointment hits me, but I force myself to stand. Overdoing it won't get me anywhere.
I wipe the blood from my mouth, collect my belongings, and slowly make my way back to the library's entrance. Lost in the complexities of the technique, I don't notice the passage of time. The quiet rustle of pages and soft footsteps of students leaving had become a distant hum. It's not until I finally close the last book that I realize the library is far emptier than before.
Lunchtime already. It seems like the day has sped by while I was engrossed in piecing together the technique. A small laugh escapes me at the thought. Who would have thought that a quiet morning in the library would fly by so fast?
Looking around, my eyes fall on Biana. As expected, she's still sprawled out on her chair, sound asleep. A chuckle escapes me as I approach her. In a world full of overachievers and hardworking individuals, Biana's lazy and laid-back attitude is almost a breath of fresh air.
I take a moment to study her. Her brown hair is a tangled mess, falling haphazardly over her face and pooling around her head. One might wonder if she has ever bothered to brush it. Her breathing is slow and steady, a clear sign that she's deeply asleep.
I can't resist the urge to tease her a little. Crouching down to her level, I flick my finger at her forehead, aiming to startle her awake. But before I can make contact, a barrier of sorts springs up around her. My finger bounces off, sending a small shock up my hand.
Biana, the lazy sloth, had foreseen this and put up a protection spell while sleeping or to be more precise a rune, If I hit her hard enough an attack could go through though. Damn, she truly is something else, she was prepared for a flick.
Smiling wryly, I decide to resort to plan B. My hand shoots out, yanking the soft pillow from under her head. The sudden lack of support causes her head to hit the floor with a thud.
With a yelp, Biana springs awake. She blinks up at me, confusion and surprise mingling in her sleepy eyes. I can't help but laugh at her befuddled expression. Despite everything, she is an amusing character to be around.
I'm barely a few steps away when I hear a groan behind me. I glance back to find Biana rubbing her now sore head, squinting at me through half-closed eyes.
Her face contorts into an adorable scowl, and she points a finger at me, half-accusingly. "V!" she whines, drawing out the letter until it sounds like a bee buzzing. "Why can't you just let me sleep~"
I can't help but chuckle at her theatrics. "Because, Biana," I reply, exaggerating my tone, "We need to eat something, it's lunchtime,"
She grumbles something unintelligible, pulling herself up to sit on the chair. She's a picture of laziness, with her tousled hair, rumpled uniform, and sleep-filled eyes. And yet, there's something genuinely endearing about her nonchalance.
A pillow suddenly whacks me square in the face, effectively halting my thoughts. Startled, I pull it off, only to see Biana grinning wickedly at me.
"If I can't sleep," she announces, "Then no one can."
And with that, she launches herself at me, another pillow clutched in her hand. I barely have time to react before she starts swinging, her movements more energetic than I've ever seen, did she drink some wine?
Ducking and dodging, I manage to avoid her attacks. It's a ridiculous sight, us playing a game of pillow fight in the middle of the library. I can't help but let out a laugh, the sound echoing in the otherwise silent room.
Biana stops her attack, huffing with exertion, a playful pout on her face. "You're supposed to let me hit you, V!" She complains, swatting me lightly with the pillow. "That's how this works."
"Who made those rules?" I retort, grinning at her exasperation. It's fun, this banter. More so than I'd initially thought.
She just sticks her tongue out at me, a childish retort that makes me laugh again. I find myself reaching out to ruffle her messy hair, teasingly. "Come on, Biana. You're a mess."
Biana looks at me, her eyes sparkling with mirth. "Oh, I know," she drawls, striking a dramatic pose, "I'm a beautiful mess. Sleep is more important than looking nice,"
"Beautiful?" I question, raising an eyebrow at her. "Now, that's a stretch."
Biana gasps dramatically, placing a hand over her heart. "Oh, how you wound me, V," she exclaims, feigning pain. "You're cruel, truly cruel, you'll have to cook me something for dinner."
"Did you sneak some wine into the academy?" I reply, grinning at her over-dramatic antics.