Chapter 81: Windell, the City of Books - Library Tour

Chapter 81: Windell, the City of Books - Library Tour

On the next morning, we intermingled with the Academens class.

The students were expected to create kakigri during this hands-on session by combining ice magic and wind magic. The whole procedure, from creating the ice to utilizing wind magic to break it down into kakigri, was carried out entirely by the students themselves, which presented it as simple at first but in fact, involved a significant amount of effort. Communication with students from the other school became imperative as well since the work was performed in groups of five, with students from both schools mixed. In the end, after the kakigri was finished, everyone shared it. This was a well-thought-out lesson that facilitated not only magic but communication aptitudes as well. It was remarkably insightful.

Having established a bond among the students, in the afternoon we proceeded to the rumored Royal Library of Magic for a tour. Following an initial explanation of the library, the students will be permitted to explore the library at their leisure in their morning groups. In the meantime, we, the teachers, will be free to wander around as we please, apart from doing our rounds to ensure that no students will be disruptive to the other patrons. Since tomorrow would be a wholly unrestricted day, it was vital to get a grasp of the librarys structure during this time, as there were many other preparations to be conducted.

Precautions from the library staff have been explained to the students, after which they may freely tour the facility. Staring fixedly at the map of the library would be unnatural, so I set out to patrol the library, which was my original role.

As explained earlier, the Royal Library of Magic consisted of 12 floors, from the first to the fifth floor was a reading space that could be accessed with no restriction, and from the sixth to the tenth floor was an off-limits space where research students and magicians from other cities had their laboratories and conducted daily research on magic, whereas the first and second basement floors were closed storage areas.

For my part, I suspected that my desired object would be on the top or bottom floor, but due to a lack of information, it was hard to ascertain. Even though I have asked Gato and the others to collect information, it will still be somewhat of a daunting prospect. The worst-case scenario would be to send Felt to take one side while I handle the other, but that would be time-consuming and would divide our forces in two, so it would be unwise to do so.

Now, I wondered what should I do

Teacher Kanaki. Do you have a minute?

At the sound of a voice, I turned around to face Karen. For her to speak to me was unusual. I turned up the corners of my lips softly.

Yeah? Whats wrong?

Excuse me, but could you please permit me to access the top floor for a little while? I already obtained permission from the library.

.May I inquire as to the reason for that?

I was informed earlier that Master Rowen is on the tenth floor right now, and when he found out I am here, he would be pleased to meet with me

What?

A terrific dj vu overtook me.

I was wondering where this feeling had originated and immediately recalled that it was last week when I met with Mondor at the pub. It was no surprise. The only Rowen that came out of Karens mouth was that Rowen Mana Anblaus.

Remaining silent all this time was also incongruous. Without bothering to mask my incredulity, I spoke faintly.

By the way, Fina.

What is it?

Fina, who was also glancing at the building map, responded.

Before coming here, I was told by Instructor Rivalz that this library has a collection of forbidden books of magic and so on. Did you know that, Fina?

Oh, youre talking about that? I know about it, its a well-known story in the royal court.

Finas eyes were still concentrated on the map of the building.

Hmm. But isnt it risky? If a dangerous criminal were to steal it, wouldnt that result in a severe predicament?

That would likely pose no obstacle. The library is as secure as the royal palace, and even in this library, such dangerous books are stored with even greater security. Besides

Finas voice dropped to a slightly hushed tone.

This is a story known only to a few people in the palace, but it is said that those books are sealed up tightly in a place that is not even shown on the map of the building.

I see.

It was an unanticipated harvest. Establishing a relationship of trust with Fina was something I had never envisioned would come in handy here.

Shortly after that, Fina warned me

You must, of course, keep this to yourself even though I am sure youre aware of it.

to which I nodded my head in assurance.

From that point on, I visited and made observations of the places of interest, as far as I could get in and out, and memorized them in my mind, along with the buildings map. Points that I could not remember were noted down, but I wrote them down in Japanese in case they were seen by a third party.

The tour of the library was brought to a close in this way, which was significant for both the students and myself.