Library 2
He reached for a bookshelf to pull out a book he intended to read. And there stood the two direct disciples of the elders, silently watching him.
The first emotion that flashed through Licht's mind was annoyance.
He had just been about to dive into some serious reading when this interruption came. And of all people, it was the direct disciples of Elders Brave and Verneuk.
He had glimpsed the red-haired girl earlier but never properly spoken to her. The boy in the blue robe standing beside her was a complete stranger.
Naturally, their sudden familiarity caught him off guard. But the boy scanned Licht up and down without a hint of concern.
"Hmm... Judging by your attire, you look like a swordsman. No powerful artifacts on you either. And yet you sliced Schult's annihilation spell with a sword? Honestly, it's a bit hard to believe..."
"What, you think I'm lying?"
"No, I believe you. You said there were multiple witnesses. It's just... fascinating. You look and feel every bit the swordsman, but Circle Magic? And a solid 4th Circle at that."
Elia's wide eyes blinked in surprise. She shot back.
"4th Circle? This guy?"
"Yeah. And it's remarkably stable. Haha! A swordsman using mana instead of aura. I've seen plenty of Sword Expert knights, but this is a first."
"That's ridiculous..."
"You're sensing it too, right? Among our age group, there are only a handful who could reach the 4th Circle... Ah, sorry about that."
The boy pulled out the chair right next to Licht and sat down. Licht couldn't tell if it was shamelessness or just his personality. But just by looking, he had discerned that Licht was currently at the 4th Circle.
It was the same way Licht had instantly gauged the levels of these two young mages. They were innately sensitive to mana—a pure talent that couldn't be acquired later in life.
The boy spoke up.
"Sorry for the late introduction. Nice to meet you. I'm Vito Berni. Not much to boast about, but I'm studying under Elder Paolo of the Verneuk School. And this is..."
"Hey! Why are you speaking for me?!"
"Shh. Elia, quiet down. This is the library."
"But you...!"
She glanced around with an indignant expression and promptly shut her mouth. Plenty of eyes were glaring at her with deep shadows under them for shouting.
She ground her teeth, glaring daggers at Vito.
"You...!"
But the boy ignored her completely and continued.
"This fiery girl's name is Elia Firvio. She's the direct disciple of Elder Angelo from the Brave School, famous for mastering fire-element magic. Personality aside, her skills are the real deal."
"......"
"So, that's us in a nutshell. Care to share your name? If you don't want to give your real one, a fake's fine. Calling you 'you' feels a bit off."
At Vito's words, Licht reflexively realized. These were the Cherbito winners from last year and the year before that, the ones Schult had mentioned.
'Brave, Verneuk.'
The protagonists themselves stood before him—young mages on the cusp of the 5th Circle, with impressive achievements even within the 4th.
A sidelong glance revealed Elia had already slipped into the seat next to Vito. Her face flushed red and purple, as if she wanted to yell but couldn't in the library, forcing her to hold it in.
Licht answered curtly.
"Licht."
"Family name?"
"Don't have one."
"Hmm... Fair enough. Real name?"
"Are you always this chummy?"
"I get that a lot. Better to get along with everyone, right?"
"Why'd you approach me?"
"Curiosity. I couldn't believe you'd cut down Schult Markersy's annihilation spell—of all people—with a sword. I only trust what I see with my own eyes. So I came to the Central Library, just in case, like Elia suggested..."
Vito alternated glances between Licht's waist and his heart, then grinned.
"Glad I did. Seeing it myself makes sense now. I'd lose in a straight fight, no question. Magic-only's a different story, though. No one at Cherbito matches me there."
Confidence dripped from his voice.
"Don't talk nonsense. You couldn't even touch Aila."
Elia, who had been waiting for an opening, sneered.
Vito's perpetual smile cracked for the first time. Of course, Licht couldn't care less.
Vito spat through gritted teeth.
"...Just bad luck. Rematch, and I'd win."
"Liar. You know it best. You're outmatched everywhere except ice magic, and even that's not a sure win."
"......"
He fell silent, her words hitting home. Looking satisfied, Elia picked up the book in front of Licht. Introduction to Magic Studies was emblazoned on the cover.
"So, you come to the Central Library and... what?"
A quick skim showed it was a fairly advanced magic text. But Elia scoffed, unimpressed.
"This is what you're reading? Swords aside, you're a total newbie at magic."
"Introduction to Magic Studies... Nostalgic. I devoured it five years ago."
"We finished that five years ago."
Elia and Vito eyed Licht like a fresh novice just starting magic. But they were missing one key fact: Licht had only seriously begun magic a little over a month ago. The only books he'd read were the most basic primers gathering dust in his family library.
And they had no idea he planned to devour every book in front of him by midnight.
No point saying it—they wouldn't believe him anyway. So Licht stayed silent.
Misinterpreting his silence, Elia's expression hardened.
"You... You're not entering Cherbito, are you?"
"Cherbito? For real?"
"Aila's here too, so she's probably entering..."
"Wait, outsiders can't even apply for Cherbito. Licht, you affiliated with an El Sion school?"
Licht sighed inwardly. What am I even doing right now?
He'd been carving out every minute, even sleep, to pore over magic texts, but now his time was being wasted.
And telling them to leave didn't seem like it'd work.
In an annoyed tone, Licht said,
"I got a recommendation."
"Recommendation? From who?"
"No way..."
"Schult Markersy."
"...What?"
Shock spread across their faces. It was only natural. For an outsider to get a Cherbito recommendation from one of the three major schools' elders was nearly impossible.
You'd need to be from a sponsoring noble family, or have overwhelmingly superior status or talent. Neither was easy.
And Schult had never written one before.
El Sion's sole two 7th Circle archmages, with no sponsoring family. His eccentricities and high pride earned him the title of quirky mage.
Countless prestigious nobles had tried to win his favor, but none succeeded.
That was Schult Markersy.
Yet this eccentric had written a recommendation. Absurd.
The fallout from the rumors alone would be massive.
As they gaped, Licht said firmly,
"If you have no business, leave. Stop bothering me."
He snatched Introduction to Magic Studies from Elia's hand and rapidly flipped through it. Skimming key sections, skipping the useless parts. All in an instant.
Vito, staring blankly, reflexively grabbed Licht's wrist.
Licht glared at him. The boy was unfazed.
"I'll teach you."
"What?"
Steadying his breath, Vito repeated,
"Magic. Theory at least—I'll teach you."
***
Receiving lessons from someone. Ridiculous.
Licht had never once sought a teacher.
His heaven-defying talent was the lantern illuminating his path, his master.
One glimpse, and he instinctively grasped far beyond it.
So he refused.
But they were far more persistent than he'd imagined.
"This part here means..."
"That's not it, Elia. What have you even been learning?"
"What?"
"Ignore her, Licht. So this is..."
Licht listened blankly to their bickering explanations. Elia aside, Vito surprisingly had a knack for teaching.
Direct disciple of the Verneuk School was no empty title. He knew a great deal.
What magic was. The difference between common and unique magic, and more.
Common magic was refined over centuries by mages for ease of use.
Unique magic was different. High mages at 5th Circle and above, masters of common spells, created their own—that was unique magic.
Space magic, excluding the legendary time magic, bordered on unique. With so few 7th Circle mages in history, information was scarce, forcing them to innovate like creating unique spells from scratch.
Schult's space magic was nearly unique too—filling in the framework with his own prowess.
Lost in such thoughts, Licht looked up. The massive wall clock's hour hand neared 11.
'Only got through half.'
He thought as he returned the books to the return bin.
Alone, he'd have finished them all. But Vito and Elia freely shared knowledge not in the books.
Books could wait for tomorrow. It wasn't a total loss.
The three exited together. The Central Library was open 24 hours, but they cited the late hour; Licht needed to secure an inn before it got later.
The sky had fully darkened. Vito spoke as they stepped out.
"Had fun today. You're quick on the uptake, unlike some people."
"Who, me?"
"Haha! Anyway, Licht. Time to spill? Your full name, I mean."
He was asking for the family name, likely guessing Licht was from some renowned noble house.
'Not wrong.'
The innate dignity of great nobles' heirs couldn't be erased. Bastard or not, living in the main house had ingrained it naturally.
Vito, a noble himself, had noticed quickly. Including the Schult recommendation.
It fit a great noble's scion.
After a moment's thought, Licht answered straightforwardly.
"Sientia."
"Sientia? Licht Sientia. Nice name. So, we're real friends now?"
Vito extended his hand. Licht just stared, unresponsive. Sounding hurt, Vito said,
"Not gonna shake? Kinda disappointing."
Twenty-eight making friends with a seventeen-year-old.
Licht sighed inwardly but shook anyway.
Grinning in satisfaction, Vito continued.
"I come to the Central Library often, so ask if you have questions. I'll teach up to right before Cherbito."
"No thought of winning?"
"Not bad either. 'The student surpasses the master,' right? No shame in a teacher losing to their pupil."
He really was the friendly type.
After a few shakes, Vito tugged Elia's robe and turned.
Then, as if it just occurred to him,
"Oh, Licht!"
"...?"
"Lately, with all the mage disappearances, things are getting dicey. Not just rumors— a Neiman School mage from the lower district vanished the other day. No central or three major school mages yet, but... Better safe than sorry."
Of course, you won't get kidnapped with your skills.
With that, Vito dragged Elia away in the opposite direction. The Brave and Verneuk headquarters were close, so same way.
'Time to go.'
Licht turned the other way.
Faint mana lights illuminated the streets. El Sion's nights were beautiful.
Licht walked slowly, savoring the sights.
***
In the middle district, a bit from the center, Licht found a decent inn. It doubled as a restaurant for meals and lodging.
Opening the door revealed soft lighting and a man polishing wine glasses at the bar counter.
The first floor served as restaurant and lobby; at this hour, only a few drinkers remained.
"Staying the night?"
Licht nodded slightly.
"10 silver a night, meals included. How many days?"
"A week."
Licht pulled out Rex's pouch and placed a gold coin on the bar.
El Sion prices were steep—higher than even ten years from now.
'Can't be helped.'
Cheaper places existed lower down, but too far from the center. El Sion was too crowded to run everywhere, and carriages would cost more than the stay.
Facilities were solid, though.
The man pocketed the gold and returned three silver coins.
"Eaten dinner?"
"Not yet."
"Hang on. If simple's fine, I'll whip something up."
He headed to the back. Licht watched, then slowly closed his eyes.
'Sebrik, Lena.'
The inn was quiet. Occasional pouring sounds and wind.
Licht doubted he'd sleep easily on his first night in El Sion.
'Should I have brought them?'
That earned the lady's grudge. She might hold back for a while, but no guarantee she'd never touch Sebrik and Lena.
'She doesn't want to trip me up...'
But constant worry defeated the purpose.
Licht pondered El Sion estate prices. A fortune.
Money, ultimately. The 50 gold from Rex wouldn't cut it.
'Always strapped for cash.'
Even as a mercenary. Less so after reaching a certain level, but before that, he'd scrimped.
Camping, cheap carriages, any food—that was why.
"Eat slow. Might be hot."
Soon the man brought a steaming dish. Tasty, impressive for homemade.
Licht finished quickly. As the man cleared the empty bowl with a satisfied look, Licht said,
"Innkeeper."
"Yeah? What?"
"Got any paper? And a pen."
"I do."
Licht held out a silver coin. The man fetched paper and a quill from inside.
"Letter to family?"
"......"
"Nosy, maybe, but cherish them. Too late once you regret it."
Spoken from experience? Regret comes too late. It struck deep.
'Money's no issue.'
He could always get more. Time was key.
Worst case, he had borrowing options.
'Long stay or not, better to get a place.'
Even if he left after Cherbito and the Sage's Tower top floor. Rent wouldn't differ much from inn fees.
Having a home base in El Sion for returns wasn't bad. Living together again, even briefly.
After staring at the blank paper, Licht took the quill.
Thoughts raced, but the first line was the usual: greetings, how are you, anything happening.
'And.'
His true feelings for the most precious ones.
The scratching filled the quiet inn. Elegant script flowed across the white page.
As he dotted the final sentence, Licht turned his head.
Faint moonlight filtered through the window.