Chapter 38: The Library

Kyle quickly left the class after it ended. He didn't want to linger and lose face further.

'12:02 PM. It's funny how three hours had flew so fast,' Kyle thought as walked out of the class.

He thought about it and figured it made sense for so much time to have passed. From the introduction, to the time we spent comprehending the spell, even the fight. All took enough time to warrant such.

'There's almost an hour left before the Elective class,' Kyle pondered. 'What can I do with this time?'

A few options came up to his mind. He could head to the Library, practice his mana control in the dorms, or even have lunch.

Among the options that faced him, he quickly ruled out practicing his mana control.

'I have enough time to do that when after today's classes, and who knew how much time might go by if I get to indulged.' Kyle concluded.

'Now, it's either having lunch or heading to the Library,' Kyle thought.

'Going to the Library would be nice. I could even get a headstart at the basics of Rune making. But... I can't read on an empty stomach.'

Kyle pondered for a while before a sudden thought dawned upon him, one that made him question his intelligence for not thinking about it earlier.

'I can't spend an hour eating, can I? I'll have lunch, then go to the library after that.'

Kyle finally resumed walking, after having a direction in mind.

'12:07. I'll have to be quick to get something out of this.'

Kyle headed to the dorm, entering into the cafeteria, he immediately bought a meal for 20 credits, cleared it and walked out in 8 minutes like he never entered.

"Now, let's find that Library," Kyle muttered as he wiped his face with a napkin.

The Academy's Library was different from the Ancient Library, where the arena was based.

From the orientation, he could make out that the Library stood at the center of the academy. But he consulted his comm for easy navigation.

Kyle followed the path through the academy grounds, weaving past students engaged in their own tasks.

Soon, he was greeted by the tall, grandeur structure if the Library.

Kyle walked through the large open doors and was greeted by an impressive sight.

The interior of the library was even more impressive than its exterior. High ceilings stretched upward, with large windows that allowed sunlight in, casting golden beams over rows and rows of bookshelves.

The scent of old parchment and ink filled the air, and Kyle immediately felt a sense of awe. The library wasn't just a place of study—it was a sanctuary for the mind.

To his left, a massive, marble staircase spiraled upward to the higher floors. Each floor was reserved for different years, with first-year students restricted to the ground level.

The second floor was for second years, and so on. The top floors were said to be reserved for advanced research, where only the most knowledgeable students and faculty had access.

Looking around, Kyle noticed several of his year mates scattered throughout the ground floor, along with older students from higher years.

Some sat in the reading area, their heads buried in books, while others wandered the shelves, searching for something specific.

Kyle spotted a few familiar faces from his class, but he quickly averted his gaze. The memory of his loss to Milo dawned upon him, and he couldn't bring himself to be scorned by his classmates.

He kept his head down and walked past them.

At the far end of the library, there was a large wooden desk. Behind it sat an elderly man with a long white beard and robes that looked even older than he was.

His glasses were perched at the edge of his nose as he scribbled something onto a scroll. Kyle approached cautiously, unsure of the protocol.

"Excuse me," he said softly after his arrival.

The man looked up from his work, his sharp, pale grey eyes scrutinizing Kyle for a moment before softening.

"Ah, a new face. First year, I presume?"

Kyle nodded. "Yes, sir. I'm looking to register so I can use the library."

The man rose from his chair with surprising agility for someone of his age.

"I am Master Orlon, the keeper of this library. I oversee everything from the books to the students who use them."

He walked around the desk and gestured for Kyle to follow him to a small pedestal nearby, where a many stacks of blank cards lay.

"This, you see, is your library card," Orlon said, rummaging through the cards, and obtaining one. "It is enchanted to track which books you check out, and also acts as a key to access restricted areas of the library as you progress through the years. Keep it well."

Kyle accepted the card and glanced at it. The library card had all his details on it, even his photo.

'It must have been prepared before,' Kyle thought.

"Now," Master Orlon continued, "before you begin exploring, a few rules. Silence is required at all times in the reading areas.

The enchanted orb in the center of the reading tables ensures that no outside noise disturbs those who are studying, but do not rely on it too much.

Respect your fellow students and maintain quietness as best as you can. If you need assistance finding a book, you may consult the library index over there." He pointed to a glowing, rune-etched terminal that stood near the entrance. "And finally, remember that the knowledge here is a gift, not a right. Use it wisely."

"Thank you."

Kyle nodded again, before turning to leave. He went to the library index, observing it to locate books on Rune making.

"Section 9A, Row 09," he muttered.

After a while, Kyle located a shelf that held books of Rune making.

He picked each book, one by one, looking for the most basic one.

It didn't take long before he found the one wanted.

"Introduction to Rune Making I," Kyle read our the name from the front cover. The book didn't have much design. Searᴄh the Novёlƒire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"This should suffice," he muttered as he walked away with the book, heading for the reading area.

The reading area was a spacious corner at the ground floor of the Library, filled with tables, that had an orb fixated in them.

The environment was already quiet, but after Kyle imbued his mana on the orb. Everywhere became more silent, as if he suddenly became deaf.

"Wow!" Kyle exclaimed at such magic, before opening the first page.

[Would you like to learn the book, 'Introduction to Rune Making I' for 10 Skill points!]

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