The Library Incident
“Reporting in, Sir Knight. Isn’t this a bit early? What if you tell me to hold on tight after I’ve already taken off!” At least give me time to put my ID in my bag before you start running!
Lin leapt powerfully, racing across the rooftops. The body slung over her shoulder jolted like a tractor rumbling down an unpaved road. The stew I’d eaten that morning threatened to come back up.
Caw, caw. A baby crow. Get lost already. I’m not a corpse. Stop treating me like your next meal.
Terrified of dropping my ID, I clutched it so tightly my hand cramped. With my other hand, I gripped the hem of Lin’s cloak like a lifeline and lay still as a sack of luggage.
……Somebody save me.
Time passed. Thankfully, I didn’t die the moment we reached the tower.
“We’re here. This is the central library of the Heavenly Moon Tower.”
Lin landed lightly on the ground and set me down from her shoulder. I stood on trembling legs, checked that my ID was still safe, and let out a quiet sigh of relief before giving a small bow.
“Th-thank you.”
It was an experience I never wanted to repeat, but I still owed her thanks for the high-speed delivery.
“How long do you plan to stay in the library?”
“Hmm. I’ll have to see once I’m inside. I might end up staying at least two hours if I get absorbed in browsing……”
“Then I’ll come back in two hours.”
“You’re coming back? You must be busy. There’s no need. I can find the dormitory myself by following the signs.”
I waved my hands. If she went that far, I’d feel too guilty. I wasn’t a seven-year-old child.
“The Tower Master ordered me to escort you all the way to your quarters. The tower is vast; you might get lost. Anyway, I’ll see you in two hours.”
Before I could stop her, she left behind a curt remark and flew off. Her movements were so swift it was hard to follow with the naked eye.
She really didn’t have to…… She could’ve been flexible about something this minor. It seemed she was the type who stubbornly followed rules no matter what.
Time to go in!
With my ID tucked away, I stepped into the towering building.
. . .
Whoa. This place is a magic buffet. So many delicious-looking books!
After drooling over the endless shelves, I picked out a book titled The Fundamentals of Layers.
Layers?
It was in the magic theory section. The unfamiliar word had caught my eye, so I opened it without thinking. As I read, I realized it contained exactly the kind of knowledge I needed right now. I lost myself in the text.
「……[Space] exists as countless layers of netting piled atop one another.」
If it’s a net, does she mean that?
I recalled my first lesson with Natasha. After successfully perceiving space, I had opened my eyes to find the entire forest covered in something resembling fishing nets.
「These two-dimensional planes that resemble nets are called [Layers].」
So that’s what they’re called! Still seated at the desk, I looked around. Bookshelves packed to the brim. People walking by. Others sitting and reading or studying. It was the picture of an ordinary library.
But—
If I perceive [Space] the way I did by the pond earlier……
A golden net unfolded before my eyes. The golden threads passed through bookshelves and walls, swimming through the library’s interior. At first it had taken time to enter the world of [Space], but now I could do it at will. It felt like there was a switch in my head.
If I flip that switch down—
Click.
The nets vanished. When I flipped the switch up again—
Click.
Just like now, the nets appeared with a poof and floated in the air.
Oh. So easy.
Anyway, these cute little nets are called [Layers]? Okay. Next.
「Only by learning to move [Layers] can one truly control [Space].」
Aha. So how do I control the nets?
「Beginners, do not be hasty. Everything has an order. Before explaining how to manipulate Layers, let us first examine their basic composition.」
Sharp. How did you know I’m impatient?
「[Layers] are composed of points, lines, and planes—the three fundamental elements of a Layer. The point is the first element, serving as the reference for changes in a Layer’s direction and shape……」
Three fundamental elements. Got it. Memo time.
I grabbed some paper from the library and began taking notes with a quill. In the game of studying, a personalized summary notebook was essential equipment. I organized the concepts into diagrams, recorded page numbers and chapter titles alongside them. Notes like these made review easier later.
Scratch, scratch.
Maybe my model-student behavior earned some goodwill. While I was deeply focused, someone approached and spoke to me.
“Are you the one called Juno?”
Correction. From the tone, this was a thug looking for a fight.
“That’s me. Who are you?”
Another correction. From that potato-like face, this was a potato-looking thug looking for a fight.
“I’m Sibil, vice president of the Apprentice Mage Association.”
“Sibal?”
“……It’s Sibil.”
Wow. What an unfortunate name.
“Sibal—no, Vice President Sibil. What do you need from me?”
“I heard you just joined the tower today. Our Apprentice Mage Association has a tradition of holding a welcome dinner for new members. It’s a chance to get acquainted, exchange greetings, and build connections between juniors and seniors. We’ve prepared a welcome party, so come along now.”
News travels fast. It hadn’t even been thirty minutes since I registered…… Hm?
I glanced out the window and noticed it had grown dark outside. I’d been so absorbed in the book that I hadn’t realized evening had fallen.
Anyway, the Apprentice Mage Association? Was that like a student council?
“What are you doing? Get up.”
“Do we have to go right now?”
“Listen, newbie. I don’t like repeating myself. Stop asking questions and come when you’re told.”
The man with freckles across his cheeks and purple hair—Sibil, who looked to be over twenty—jerked his chin impatiently. His eyes said, What are you waiting for?
His fine clothes and condescending attitude screamed noble-born young master. That explained how he’d landed the vice president position in the Apprentice Mage Association. But I had no intention of going. More precisely, I didn’t want to go.
A welcome party? Too much trouble. I just wanted to keep devouring the delicious magic books in front of me.
“Thank you for arranging the gathering, but I’m busy right now and won’t be able to attend, Senior.”
At my words, Sibil made a face that perfectly matched his unfortunate name.
“I clearly told you this is a tradition of our tower. Over a hundred people—from senior apprentices who joined long before you to the president—have prepared this for you alone. It’s an official event of the apprentice organization. Everyone’s waiting, and you’re saying you won’t come?”
“Senior, do you know what’s the most precious gold in the world? It’s the present. Everyone’s present is different, and your present is different from mine. My present right now is studying magic. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t take my gold away.”
“……”
“I’m sorry I can’t attend, but couldn’t you all enjoy the meal without me?”
I’d spoken with genuine sincerity, but perhaps it was too profound for a silver-spoon noble to understand. Sibil’s face twisted in disgust.
“If there’s a participation fee, I can pay it right here……”
“You talk too damn much. Hey, chatty newbie. Do you think seniors have nothing better to do? Where the hell did this rootless brat come from, acting all high and mighty without knowing his place—”
Sibil, who had been radiating irritation, ran a hand through his hair and openly showed his rage. The atmosphere turned hostile, and people nearby began glancing over.
“Is it because you got in without taking the exam? You’ve got no sense of respect, huh?”
Only then did I realize why Sibil wanted to pick on me. He didn’t like that I’d entered as a parachute without taking the apprentice exam.
Ah, so that’s it.
His gaze had been off from the start. Why else would they rush to prepare a welcome party that could’ve waited a few days? The party was probably just an excuse. Their real goal was to humiliate me and put on a sadistic initiation.
The claim that over a hundred people were waiting was likely a lie. If I went, it would probably just be a few officers and seniors.
This is ridiculous.
I could understand not liking a parachute admission. But this was different. Seniors planning to gang up on a fifteen-year-old kid? If word got out, it would be seen as insane and vicious. What kind of delinquent behavior was this?
Annoyance flared up.
Just endure it.
I’d only gotten into the tower thanks to Natasha. I’d barely received my apprentice badge. Causing trouble or an incident right after joining would put her in a difficult position. For her sake, staying quiet was the right call.
Yeah. Let’s think that the best thing is for everyone to get along.
But that resolve shattered in an instant.
Sibil snatched the book I’d been reading, slammed it shut, and hurled it straight at my face. The impact felt like being struck in the skull with a rock. My vision blurred. Of course—it was a thick, heavy encyclopedia. It could serve as a weapon on its own.
But Sibil didn’t stop there.
In a flash, he grabbed my hair and slammed my head onto the desk. Thud. Thud. Thud. Three times in a row, hard enough to redden my forehead.
“Arrogant newbie. Got some respect in your eyes now?”
In that moment, I felt something cold and liquid pour over the back of my head. A thick fluid ran down my cheeks and temples from my hair. Sibil pressed my face roughly into the desk before yanking me up.
What filled my vision was my carefully written summary notes—two hours of effort—being soaked in black ink.