Because it was still the first day, I didn't want to waste time. My information was very limited, and I felt the need to understand this situation as deeply as possible. My classmates were still caught up in wild fantasies of adventure and heroism, while I needed to find a way to escape the grip of this kingdom.
As I walked through the long corridors of the palace, my mind was filled with doubt and suspicion. The king, queen, and their princess—all seemed too luxurious for a kingdom claiming to be in a state of war emergency. Their clothing sparkled with expensive jewels, every movement exuding opulence and arrogance. The hall where we were welcomed this morning was also adorned with gleaming gold and silver ornaments, further reinforcing the impression that this kingdom was far from the desperate state they depicted.
"If they were truly in trouble, the king and his family shouldn't be flaunting luxury like this," I thought. All of this only heightened my distrust and suspicion of their intentions. Perhaps they were just using us as tools to win their war, without caring about our fate.
I decided to absorb as much information as possible from here. Every clue, every small piece of information could be a key to understanding this situation and finding a way out. I intended to leave this place once I understood more about this world and how to survive within it.
I continued to explore the palace, walking through magnificent corridors adorned with beautiful wall decorations. Large paintings depicting the history of this kingdom hung along the corridors, narrating tales of past heroes and epic battles. Every corner of this palace seemed designed to showcase the power and wealth of the kingdom, further strengthening my suspicion that they were not entirely truthful about the actual situation.
Finally, I arrived at a large room that appeared to be the palace library. Tall bookshelves towered, filled with old books and ancient scrolls. This might be the perfect place to find answers to many of my questions. I approached one of the shelves, examining the titles written on the spine of the books. Some related to the history of the world, others to the magic system and various professions.
I picked up a more interesting book, sat down at one of the wooden tables there, and began reading. The pages were filled with information about various professions and the abilities held by people in this world. I read attentively, not realizing that I could read the language of this world without difficulty. Apparently, it was one of the advantages granted to people from another world.
As I continued to read, I became increasingly fascinated by the various professions available. Each profession had unique abilities and played a crucial role in society and on the battlefield. I found descriptions of jobs such as Wizard, Swordfighter, Healer, and Thief, complete with their abilities and strengths. However, there was no mention of anything resembling a "Modern Warrior." My job was truly special and exclusive.
I also found information about features within Deus Machina. It turns out, features like the "Shop" and Credit Points system were indeed unique to me. There was no reference to such features among other professions. This made me even more confident that I had an advantage that others did not, although I still needed to find a way to use it effectively.
After gathering enough information about the jobs, I turned to books that explained about this world and our current location. I found a large map depicting the Kingdom of Althoria, where we currently were. The kingdom was situated in the middle of a large continent surrounded by various other kingdoms. These books also explained the history and culture of Althoria, as well as the conflicts and wars currently ongoing.
...
Four hours had passed, and I was still sitting in that large library, immersed in a sea of books. Tall shelves filled with old and new books surrounded me, creating a peaceful yet knowledgeable atmosphere. I was alone here, accompanied only by the gentle sound of pages rustling as I flipped through them. Although I had read quite a bit, a feeling of anxiety began to creep in, worried that the soldiers might start looking for me after being gone for too long.
I decided to return to my room after returning the books I had read. Carefully, I navigated through the quiet library corridor. Dim lights illuminated the way, creating moving shadows with each step I took. As I was about to turn at the corner between the bookshelves, I accidentally bumped into someone.
"Ouch..." a small voice exclaimed, and I saw a man fall in front of me, his books scattered on the floor.
"Oh, I'm sorry!" I immediately bent down and helped him up. The man looked frail, perhaps a librarian or researcher. His face showed a hint of surprise, but he soon gave a thin smile.
The man had dirty blond straight hair, with brown eyes. His attire was simple, akin to that of a librarian.
"It's okay, that was my fault too," he said, rubbing his arm, which might have been slightly hurt from the fall.
I helped gather the scattered books. They looked heavy and full of notes and bookmarks. "You're carrying quite a lot of books," I remarked, trying to alleviate my guilt with some small talk.
The man smiled again, this time more genuinely. "Yes, there's a lot to study. Are you also looking for information here?"
"Yes, I've just been reading about the professions and this world," I replied, handing him the last book. "I just want to understand more about our situation."
The man nodded. "That's wise. This world is full of mysteries, and knowledge is power. Don't hesitate to come back here if you need more information."
I nodded, feeling a little relieved. "Thank you, I will definitely come back."
With that, I hurried out of the library, making sure no soldiers saw me. The sky outside was getting dark, indicating that night was approaching. I walked quickly back to my room, my mind filled with plans and strategies.
...
{THIRD PERSON POV}
The man watched Johan's figure as he exited the library, his face displaying a mix of curiosity and admiration. Despite his stout stature, Johan's assessment of the situation showed intelligence and vigilance that caught the man's attention.
"Even though I've forbidden my father from conducting large-scale summoning rituals for fear of endangering the future of the kingdom's wizards, seeing that young man assess the situation on his own impresses me," the man muttered, his voice barely audible amidst the shadows of the bookshelves.
The summoning of heroes done by the king and his allies was a cowardly act because it was the same as shifting responsibility onto a group of unknown people, with high hopes that they could solve the country's problems.
Because of the king's actions, many kingdom wizards died because of the summoning of large quantities of heroes. They seemed to be merely tools, while valuable resources were squandered. The man sighed wearily, contemplating the increasing burden on the kingdom as the situation grew more complex.
Soon after, two fully uniformed soldiers entered the library with an air of urgency, clearly searching for someone. Seeing only the man there, they immediately bowed respectfully.
"Hail, Crown Prince Philip!" one of the soldiers exclaimed with utmost deference.
Philip, the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Althoria, simply nodded, his expression remaining calm yet authoritative. "What are you looking for here?" he asked, his voice gentle yet commanding.
"Forgive us, Your Highness. We are looking for one of the newly summoned students. His name is Johan Anderson. We did not find him in his quarters," the soldier replied, still bowing.
Philip raised an eyebrow slightly, curiosity gleaming in his eyes. "Johan Anderson? He just exited this library. Ensure you treat him with respect," he ordered firmly yet calmly.
The soldier immediately nodded. "Of course, Your Highness. We will ensure his well-being." With that, they quickly departed from the library, leaving Philip alone.
Philip glanced towards the doorway where Johan had disappeared. "Johan Anderson... Interesting. Perhaps there is more potential within him than meets the eye. I will observe your progress, newcomer," he murmured to himself before returning to his tasks, a faint smile forming at the corner of his lips.