Descent into the Deep Library
Right after the harmonious family dinner came to an end, I was walking behind Joshua.
I'd originally planned to take it easy and head to the deep library later, but... thinking about it, if I suddenly grew as explosively as before, stabilizing it would take time. So I decided to go right away.
"So, was the meal to your liking?"
"Yes. It was a satisfying feast after so long."
The academy food wasn't bad, but the sheer volume meant the quality suffered a bit. The academy's menu focused more on nutrition than taste anyway.
"I see. I heard last night was quite rowdy."
Joshua slowed his pace slightly and spoke casually. He was probably referring to the assassin attack on me yesterday. It wasn't surprising that he knew. It'd be weirder if the family head was unaware of something happening in his own house.
"Yes, it was noisy, but I cleaned it up nicely and went to bed."
"...Excellent. I'll handle the rest."
"Thank you."
"No need. If someone dared disturb the main house, it's only natural. Don't thank me."
I hadn't expected him to openly declare he'd handle it himself.
...That should be enough.
Even if the culprit was direct lineage, he wouldn't let it slide. Joshua had said he'd deal with it personally.
...But I didn't realize the deep library was in such a remote spot.
I only knew about the deep library's existence, not its exact location. It was the family's sanctuary, accessible only to the family head, after all.
"...Is this it?"
Joshua stopped at the family tomb where generations of heads were enshrined. For a place only the head could enter, it was surprisingly open.
"Master. This space feels off somehow."
"Indeed."
Talent: Insight detects a separated world.
A presence that hadn't been detectable moments ago now loomed right in front. An immense concentration of mana that even made me gasp in awe.
...So it's not just a simple tomb.
The tomb itself was a kind of library. Who would've thought the deep library sat atop the tombs of past heads?
"Fifteen minutes only. No more."
"Understood."
"I hope you make good use of it."
As Joshua murmured softly, a circle began forming at his fingertips. Eight circles interlocked, moving in unison like gears in a machine.
...So the chain of magic itself acts as a key.
An 8th-circle spell as a key? Unimaginable. It deployed with such complex calculations yet served only as a lockpick, with no other effects.
Ah, but if Insight let me comprehend the spell, couldn't I come anytime? If I succeeded...
Talent: Insight begins comprehending the spell's calculations.
Was it really working?
—Ding.
Talent: Insight overloads and can no longer analyze the calculations.
I knew Insight wasn't omnipotent, but for it to fail at comprehending a spell? Even Star Manifestation-level magic had been partially graspable before... An 8th-circle spell stumps it now?
"Staring that intently won't reveal it. It's magic left by the founding head."
"...Ah."
In that instant, the ring on Joshua's middle finger caught my eye. That explained why I couldn't comprehend it...
Talent: Insight appraises the target.
9th-circle magic artifact crafted by 'Heriller,' the first head of the Vergilius family. Upgraded to a top-tier 10th-circle artifact through the efforts of successive heads.
Assists with the Deep Unlocking Spell to bypass the daily-changing lock formula of the Deep.
It wasn't just about comprehending the spell. It was aided by a 10th-circle key artifact from the start.
"Now, come out in fifteen minutes."
"Understood."
Disappointing, but not crucial. I didn't need that spell right now anyway.
—Creaaaaak.
A door materialized in midair, slowly opening to reveal the interior. Its scale rivaled the academy library at a glance. And each book's value was immense.
...With this volume, even Insight won't cover it in fifteen minutes.
Insight was powerful, but not infinite. Limited time meant limited books.
"This is fun. Using a discarded world for a library."
"...Is it?"
"Yeah. Discarded worlds are usually inaccessible. This one's linked by magic, though."
Even if the family fell, this library would endure. Even I, direct lineage, had just learned of it today.
"So, decided what to read?"
"Of course. I came with a plan."
Fifteen minutes wasn't much, but smart use could maximize it. I needed info on four things.
Gods and demons, the