The Forbidden Section's Secret
Having found Lilith's embrace far too comfortable, I ended up dozing off deeply without meaning to while simply lying down to rest. By the time I came to my senses, lunchtime was nearly over.
"I'm sorry for falling asleep, Lilith."
"It's fine. Your sleeping face was so adorable that I lost track of time watching you~"
"Ugh..."
Lilith planted a quick kiss on my lips as I flushed with embarrassment.
"Mwah. Have a good day."
"Yes, I'll be back after class."
After closing the door and leaving the dormitory, the thought of being apart from Lilith made my chest ache. Yet the lingering warmth on my lips soothed it.
"...The effect is certainly reliable."
Drawing strength from that warmth, I managed to return to class. Two hours later, when I entered the final class of the day, I received unexpected news.
"The subject professor had to leave urgently on business, so this class will be replaced with self-directed reading in the library."
An opportunity to head to the Academy Library Forbidden Section had arrived sooner than expected. Letia, whose schedule overlapped with mine, shot me a meaningful glance. When I approached her quietly, she whispered.
"The heavens are helping us. Go, Arthur!"
"Haa... I'll try asking the librarian first. If that doesn't work, there's nothing more I can do, right?"
"Hohoho. Don't worry. I've prepared Plan B, Plan C, and even Plan S."
"...What on earth is Plan S?"
I couldn't tell where her sincerity ended and the jokes began. Muttering to myself, I left Letia behind as she scribbled mysterious plans on a blank sheet and approached the librarian.
"Ma'am, I have a request."
"Hm? Oh, it's you, Arthur. Looking for a book, or... ah, probably not that."
"Could I perhaps enter the Academy Library Forbidden Section?"
The librarian's eyes widened instantly. She clearly hadn't expected me to say such a thing.
"Hmm... May I ask why?"
Strange. I thought she'd refuse outright.
"I was wondering if there might be a way for me to obtain mana there."
"Hmm...... Very well."
"Ah, yes. I assumed it would be impossible... Wait, what did you say?"
"You may enter."
"???"
Was this something that could be decided so lightly? Stunned, I stared blankly at the librarian's face until she handed me something. It was a well-maintained, gleaming key.
"It's the key to the Academy Library Forbidden Section."
"...Was it really that easy to enter?"
"Oh my, didn't you know? It's called the forbidden section, but anyone can enter with a teacher's permission. The terrifying rumors about black magic that circulate among students were already sealed away by the chancellor long ago. What's left are merely advanced grimoires beyond student level and other miscellaneous items of little value."
"...Somehow, that feels rather disappointing."
"Right? I felt the same the first time I went in."
It seemed far more wholesome than the nightmarish den I had imagined.
"That said, some spells could still be slightly dangerous if attempted at a student's level. From an accident-prevention standpoint, those rumors have proven surprisingly effective. That's why we've left them as they are."
Though the illusion had shattered, leaving me somewhat hollow, I was relieved it was easier than expected.
"Then, may I go in?"
"Of course. This way."
The librarian led me from the desk to a door set into the floor.
"Here it is. You have one hour to browse. You must come back up before then. Ah, don't even think about crossing the barrier deep in the shelves. Not that you could anyway—the chancellor's barrier won't allow it. And if you find any books wrapped in chains, bring them to me without opening them. Those must be examined under my supervision. Understood?"
"Come out an hour early, don't touch the barrier, bring chained books to the teacher. Understood."
When I inserted the key and turned it, I heard the sound of magic activating inside—likely an anti-duplicate key spell. The floor door slid open smoothly.
"I hope you find the information you need."
"Yes, thank you, ma'am."
"It's nothing. Go on in."
The stairs leading downward were wide and brightly lit despite the lack of visible light sources, likely due to layered magic, making the descent comfortable.
"Tch... I expected a dungeon-like atmosphere."
Upon reaching the bottom, I couldn't help but marvel at the sight before me.
"Ooh... Not what I expected, but this works too."
The walls gleamed like black obsidian, shelves lined every surface, and countless books filled them. It was a space that would make any book lover's eyes spin.
"Even the humidity is controlled thanks to magic."
The academy library above was already among the empire's top three. On a continental scale, it ranked among the finest. Yet this place felt untouched by human hands—a sanctuary devoted solely to books.
Though my heart raced at being surrounded by so many volumes, I had to focus on my purpose here first.
"Let's see. The title was definitely... 『A Childhood Friend I Met After Years Turns Out to Be a Girl?!』 What kind of book is that...?"
Letia wouldn't have given me wrong information, so I decided to search. But another title caught my eye.
—『Mana Enhancement Methods』 2nd Revised Edition by Mustihi Reinz.
"Huh? Reinz is that archmage whose name appeared in the recent magical academic journal, right? His books are notoriously hard to find, yet here's one."
It was a name I'd learned while scouring papers in search of mana. Drawn as if enchanted, I pulled the book from the shelf, held it in one hand, and kept moving.
"I'll read it when I have time... Huh? 『On Mana』 by Mustihi Reinz, improved edition. This one's hard to find too? Huh? This one as well... and this..."
Before I knew it, I'd set my original goal aside, my attention consumed by rare theses and journals from renowned archmages. When I regained my senses, I was already carrying a tower of books.
"Heavy... In the end, Letia's book wasn't here. Was the information wrong?"
Stretching my neck to peer over the stack, I wobbled forward—until my foot caught and I stumbled.
"Aah!"
The tower swayed dangerously.
"No!"
Despite my cry, the books scattered in all directions. I lunged desperately to catch them, but several slid far away.
"Ugh, when am I going to sort all this?"
As I hurriedly restacked the books, something suddenly drew my gaze.
"What's that?"
At the end of the shelves was a narrow passage. Beyond a red line dividing the floor lay a different space—and two books had fallen there.
"...Am I allowed to cross?"
The red line made me uneasy, but the thought of the librarian's wrath if she discovered the books left behind was far more terrifying. She was terrifying when angry...
I had to retrieve them. Slowly extending my hand, I tested the line with my fingers.
"...Huh? Nothing happens?"
No resistance at all. I wondered if this was the chancellor's barrier the librarian mentioned, but apparently not.
"Was it just a marker for organization?"
Tilting my head, I stepped fully across. Still, I felt no pain or discomfort.
"Just grab them and go—"
After a few steps, I saw it: a separate bookshelf. Only then did the meaning of the red line return to me. More precisely, the meaning of a red line.
Red often evoked ominous images, but it could signify something else entirely.
"...Don't tell me this is the adult section?"
This shelf was clearly filled with books for true adults.
"......Should I take a look? Letia's book might be here. Yeah, that makes sense. I'm doing this for Letia. It's not like I have any personal interest or anything."
Spouting excuses no one could hear, I approached the shelf. Why does Lilith come to mind?
Setting aside the inexplicable unease, I began scanning the spines. Aside from a few books written in unknown languages, most were old but readable.
『The R'lyeh Text』
『The Book of Eibon』
『The Song of Aster』
"What are these? The titles seem odd for adult novels..."
I pulled out the first one I saw, 『The R'lyeh Text』.
"Huh, the material isn't ordinary leather. What is this?"
The cover had an unsettling texture. Faint sketches marked its surface. Focusing, I could make out the shape—an oddly formed creature.
"An octopus...? No, it looks like a human body with an octopus head. Why?"
What could such a grotesque being signify... Ah, wait!
A sudden realization struck like lightning. An octopus-human illustration in the presumed adult section.
"This must be a shelf for people with unusual fetishes. Octopus people, huh. Well, to each their own. I don't understand, but I'll respect it."
The books were probably separated here to avoid offending others. Tastes varied, after all. Someone might find even such bizarre things arousing. Letia wasn't exactly normal herself. Paying silent respect to whoever possessed such tastes, I returned the book to the shelf.
While continuing to browse, an obviously suspicious book caught my eye. Unlike the others, weathered by time, this one gleamed as if new, standing alone at the shelf's end. Its cover was pitch black like the rest, exuding the same unsettling aura.
"No title on the spine? What book is this?"
Curiosity overcame my unease. I took it down and examined the cover—nothing written there either. Turning the first page revealed text at last. Bold, sharp lettering suggested a title, but it was in an unknown script. Below it, however, smaller text in a different hand was legible. I read it aloud.
"Necronomicon. So that's the title. Is this a translated edition of the original?"
Turning another page revealed a small note attached. The paper differed from the book's, and the legible writing—numbers and subheadings—appeared to be an index compiled by the translator. Among them, I spotted a familiar term at the very top.
1. Great Old Ones and Outer Gods
"Huh? 'Outer God'... Lilith mentioned that."
I recalled Lilith, in her cat form during the dream, introducing herself during the contract.
'A Great One of this Dreamland.'
'Daughter of the Crawling Chaos, attendant to the foolish blind father.'
'I, the Outer God Lilith—'
"Right, she called herself an Outer God."
But why was it here? This wasn't supposed to be the adult novel section...
Suddenly remembering Lilith during meals, a strange plausibility formed.
"So the theme is Outer Gods—foreign deities? Even so, could anyone view an Outer God in a sexual light?"
Every description of Outer Gods I'd heard spoke of horrifying forms. Some supposedly had dozens of reproductive organs. Could 'they' truly look upon even such beings with desire...? I felt torn between reverence and revulsion.
Interest sparked by the familiar keyword, I was about to open the book in earnest when—
"Arthur? Where are you?"
The librarian's voice echoed. Sensing I shouldn't be discovered here, I quickly gathered the fallen books and hurried out.
"Over here!"
"You went quite deep... What are all those books?"
The librarian stared in disbelief at my tower of books.
"Don't tell me you plan to read all of them?"
"Ah... Is that not allowed?"
"......"
She examined the stack with a reluctant expression, then seemed oddly relieved—though the look vanished quickly.
"You can't check them out. Reading is permitted only here."
"Yes, that's more than enough for me."
"Good. I'd like to say you can read at your leisure, but it would be best if you left for today."
"Pardon? I still have plenty of time left in the hour."
"It seems the dean is coming."
"Ah..."
The dean already disliked me. If he learned I'd entered this place, the librarian would be in trouble.
"Then I'll take my leave."
"I'm sorry, Arthur."
"No, I'm grateful enough just for being allowed inside."
"I'll organize the books separately. Next time you come, you can take them out right away."
"Thank you for your consideration."
As I bowed and turned to go—
"Wait, Arthur. Isn't this your book?"
...My book?
Turning back, I saw the book in the librarian's hand—
Necronomicon?
Why was that book out? I thought I'd left it behind...?
Hold on—what had she just said?
"Uh... My book?"
"Yes. All books in this library have tracking magic attached. The chancellor placed it to prevent loss or theft. Even I, as librarian, have access to it. But this book has no such magic, so I wondered—perhaps it's yours?"
Huh? It definitely came from the shelf...
'That' chancellor wouldn't make mistakes. The academy's chancellor, hailed as history's greatest mage, was also notoriously meticulous. Such a thorough person wouldn't leave errors.
"A lost book, perhaps? No title, either."
As the librarian moved to open it—
"It's mine."
"Hm?"
The words slipped out reflexively, startling even me. Yet I continued as if entranced.
"That book. It's mine."
"Is it? Then why just now..."
"Notebooks like that are common. I thought I'd brought mine, but when I checked my pocket again, it was gone."
The librarian glanced between me and the Necronomicon with suspicion for a moment, then nodded.
"I suppose mistakes happen. Here you are."
She seemed to accept my explanation as reasonable.
"Just so you know—the books in the Academy Library Forbidden Section are all prohibited from being copied. The chancellor has forbidden it, so don't even try."
"Of course. I wouldn't dream of it."
Feigning nonchalance, I stuffed the Necronomicon into my uniform's magic pouch.
"Then I'll be on my way."
"Go on. And be careful not to run into the dean."
"Yes, ma'am."
Leaving the librarian behind, I ascended the stairs slowly, doing my best to appear casual as I tried to exit the library—only to be stopped by someone.
"Arthur! You went into the forbidden section, didn't you?"
It was Letia.
"Did you find 『A Childhood Friend I Met After Years Turns Out to Be a Girl?!』?"
Ah, so that's what I'd forgotten.
"Letia."
"Yeah?"
"...Sorry, I forgot."
"......"
Letia collapsed to her knees with a look of utter devastation.
"Aah, no way~!!"