Upon entering the library, Furen was greeted by a sea of golden hues. The first floor of the library housed books collected by followers of the "Eternal Blazing Sun" Church. Their content seemed ordinary at first glance, except for the subtle propaganda woven throughout. The authors frequently promoted the Sun Church, slipping in occasional praises for the Sun—fanatics, as Furen thought to himself. Followers of the Sun Church always felt like they were engaged in some sort of cultish multi-level marketing scheme, endlessly proselytizing wherever they went.
Trier's title as the "City of the Sun" had existed since the founding of Intis. However, in the mystical world, especially during the late Fourth Epoch, the term was often used mockingly to describe the fanatical fervor of the Sun Church's followers. It implied that proximity to the Sun either led to madness or death.
Interestingly, the term "City of the Sun" was first coined by followers of the God of Knowledge and Wisdom. This was during a period when the followers of the two gods had temporarily allied due to external circumstances. Knowing that history, the description felt ironic yet fitting.
This piece of mystical knowledge came from a book in Furen's family library. His father, Martin Abraham, had stored it in a secret archive. The book, titled The Last Madness—The Pale Catastrophe, was written by a Sequence 5 Traveler who had witnessed the final stages of the Pale Catastrophe and studied extensive historical records. While the author wasn't a top-tier scholar, the book carried a significant degree of credibility.
The Trier National Library had a slightly different structure compared to other libraries. Its first floor did not house foundational knowledge about the world but focused instead on practical books—resources that could help one earn a living. These included materials that, while not profound, made it relatively easy to convert knowledge into money.
On this floor, Furen noticed a scattering of people, some standing, others seated, all engrossed in their books. Most of them were dressed plainly, even shabbily. A few of them, while reading, would unconsciously touch their stomachs, revealing gaunt, bony bodies beneath their simple clothes.
"Touching, isn't it?"
A voice suddenly spoke from behind Furen as he observed the readers. He didn't immediately turn around. Instead, he searched his memory for the voice, then slowly turned at a natural pace.
When Furen turned, he saw two individuals dressed starkly differently from the readers on the first floor. One was a golden-haired young man in a white robe embroidered with gold threads. As Furen turned to look, the man smiled and raised a hand in greeting. In his right hand was a string of golden beads, and among them was a single golden kumquat flower—a curious addition.
The other was a brown-haired man in a blue suit, wearing a brown vest underneath. Compared to the first, he appeared more reserved but not cold—his demeanor exuded calmness.
The stark contrast between the two men's appearances and attire was striking. Standing together, they looked oddly mismatched, yet somehow complementary.
As Furen scrutinized their appearances and clothing, the golden-haired man's smile briefly showed a hint of frustration before disappearing. He ran his hand through his brilliant golden hair, touching the nape of his neck, and said in a light, cheerful tone:
"As expected, Furen, you're as terrible at recognizing people as ever! I'm Quevedo Heimer, a student of the esteemed Lord of Radiant Wisdom, Roman Karman. We attended lessons together at the Earl of Mann's estate!"
Hearing this, Furen's thoughtful expression relaxed. He replaced it with a polite, apologetic smile, extended his hand, and said, "My apologies. It seems my memory fails to live up to my friends' expectations. But I'll do my best to remember my friends better. And who might this gentleman be?"
"A handshake is truly a marvelous greeting," Quevedo said, his tone brimming with enthusiasm. "It embodies the warmth of Trier's people! Emperor Roselle truly was a genius!"
After this brief exclamation, Quevedo finally introduced the gentleman beside him.
"This is Erich Sabach from Lenburg. Among all the young people I've met, his knowledge is unparalleled. He could even hold his own in scholarly discussions with the previous generation of academics. I met him here in the library. He's truly an admirable scholar!" Quevedo's tone was filled with respect. After shaking hands with Furen, he slightly bowed and gestured toward Erich with both palms up, as if presenting a treasure too precious to be sullied.
The brown-haired man in the blue suit stepped forward, extended his hand to Furen, and said in a calm, measured tone, "Hello, I'm Erich Sabach from Lenburg, currently studying in Trier. Mr. Quevedo is one of the most passionate and knowledgeable people I've ever met. It's a pleasure to meet you, his friend."
Quevedo quickly added, "Don't be fooled by his reserved demeanor, Furen. Erich is always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone eager to learn."
Then, with a sheepish smile, Quevedo pressed his palms together in front of Erich, as though apologizing for speaking about him behind his back.
Furen didn't mind. After shaking Erich's hand, he said, "A friend from Lenburg, the land of knowledge, must indeed be a learned individual. Quevedo is a scholar of remarkable insight, and any friend he holds in such high regard must be extraordinary. I hope you'll not only remain Quevedo's friend but also become mine. Having a knowledgeable friend is the greatest reward for any scholar."
Quevedo looked slightly surprised at Furen's words but quickly regained his composure. However, as if suddenly remembering something, he retrieved a pocket watch from beneath his robe, checked the time, and said to Furen:
"Apologies, but we must leave for a book salon at the Earl of Conley's estate. Please enjoy your time exploring the sea of books. I hope we can someday share the joy of knowledge together."
Furen nodded understandingly. "No rush. I'm sure we'll share knowledge one day. Please, don't let me delay your pressing schedule."
With a nod, Quevedo and Erich bid Furen farewell and hurriedly left.
In Furen's time, there were no formal schools for education. Wealthy or noble families would never send their children to study alongside commoners or the lower classes, and church schools rarely taught practical knowledge.
For those with the means, hiring a master for home education was an excellent option. However, distinguished scholars often refused to teach the nouveau riche. Fortunately, such masters didn't exclusively teach one-on-one; nobles with connections to wealthy families didn't mind having the children of affluent merchants join their own in lessons. After all, nobles brought power, and merchants brought wealth. The union of power and wealth seemed inevitable, whether in the mundane or the mystical world.
Furen was no exception. He had attended lessons at the Earl of Mann's estate, learning under the tutelage of Master Roman Karman. It was likely under these circumstances that he had met Quevedo.