3

The Sorcery Academy library mainly stored books and papers useful for students’ studies. Because of that, a large number of copies of the Original Canon—the most used material—were lined up.

In addition, novels with strong entertainment value and children’s picture books were also present. Just as with academic papers, the triggers for improving magical skill varied. Therefore even extremely niche books, whose readership was unknown, were preserved.

With this many books, some probably had never been picked up, Ains thought while skimming the titles on the spines as he walked through the forest of books.

“Whoa… this is amazing.”

The shelf Ains reached was packed tightly with copies of the Original Canon.

The Original Canon was a collection of handwritten notes Ains himself had left behind.

Since leaving the forest of the Ains Domain, Ains had heard about the copies several times—but had never once held one. Thinking that as he reached toward the strange sight of a shelf filled entirely with them.

He randomly pulled one out and opened it.

His messy handwriting had been neatly organized and edited for clarity, making the key points easy to grasp.

The orderly printed letters were readable for anyone, and realizing this had spread magical knowledge widely moved him deeply.

Ains had heard the Eternal Witch actively produced the copies.

If she was truly a sorcerer, why had she created copies and spread knowledge?

“…Knowledge is power. Normally you’d want to monopolize it…”

A sorcerer’s actions always had reasons. They might act whimsically sometimes, but most actions served a purpose.

Then was the existence of these copies a means toward the Eternal Witch’s objective?

As he flipped the pages, the musty scent of the book drifted softly.

Maybe I’ll look around more slowly, Ains thought as he returned the copy to the shelf.

“Seidel-san, I’m thinking of taking my time looking around. Shall we split up?”

In the silent forest of books,

Ains called out to Seidel, whose figure was hidden by shelves.

“That sounds good! I was thinking the same! Let’s use the lunch bell as our meeting time!”

Seidel’s voice came from afar. Perhaps Ains’s earlier voice had been too quiet to hear.

Ains raised his voice more than before. “Understood!” and continued walking.

After that he kept taking books that caught his attention and opening them to read.

He walked, picked up books, stopped, returned them, and moved deeper into the forest.

“…Hm? A bit dusty?”

Before he knew it, he had reached a dim corner poorly maintained.

Lights were on so the titles could be seen, yet the atmosphere felt different.

Like the night forest of Tas Village—the chaotic, gloomy air before Ains had thinned the trees and controlled the magical beasts.

Most students probably never came this far. The thickness of dust on the shelves proved it.

The gloomy atmosphere unfitting for the academy library piqued Ains’s curiosity.

His steps became light.

“…What’s this?”

At the back of the decaying forest of books stood an old door.

Ains reached out and touched it.

“It was locked… but it’s open? Did someone force it?”

If it was open there was no problem. Even if it wasn’t, Ains would likely force it anyway. He grasped the knob and turned it.

Inside was a clean room filled with light, completely lacking the gloomy air outside.

Shelves lined the walls, but unlike the library, each book was individually protected in glass cases.

That alone showed these books were more valuable than those outside.

Walking across the smooth marble-like stone floor, Ains looked around.

His shoes were quiet, but his wooden prosthetic leg echoed with each step.

“…Oh? Has someone arrived?”

A voice came from the back of the room.

Its owner approached with calm footsteps.

The figure emerging from behind the shelves was a woman.

Her hair was neatly cut at shoulder length, and her bright red lips—likely makeup—stood out.

“Sorry, the door was unlocked, so I just…”

Ains scratched his head with his left hand and smiled awkwardly. He hadn’t expected anyone inside.

“Oh my. I entered here myself, so there’s no need to be so polite.”

Though she spoke gently, her eyes examined Ains.

“From what I can see… you are not a student here, correct?”

Not wearing the academy uniform, Ains appeared to be an outsider.

An outsider entering this archive while she was here meant—

Her vigilance sharply increased.

“Wait, wait! I’m a servant! I may be wandering around neglecting my duties, but I have permission to enter the academy!”

Ains desperately explained.

But she remained wary.

“My name’s Ains. I attend the academy as Laika Brandy’s attendant. I was observing class earlier but it was too boring so I left—I’m really not suspicious!”

Seeing his behavior, the woman realized he wasn’t lying and relaxed her guard.

It seemed this Ains didn’t understand what this place was.

If it could be settled peacefully, that was best—she decided.

“My apologies. Few people come here, so I was suspicious. I hope I did not offend you.”

The woman bowed politely to Ains.

“My name is Rubelmel. I look forward to our acquaintance.”