The first week of school went quite well, I think.
Although there were a few things that made it difficult, at least I managed to lighten some of my burdens.
With a new goal, I have to win the upcoming tournament against Vain, the Head of the Disciplinary Committee, to gain additional protection for Violet.
Saturday, January 13, 18 NE.
Today is my first day off after the first week of school, and I'm at the Grand Library. This location is close to Lelore High School of Magic than Protea. So I took the train this morning.
The reason I came to the Grand Library is to search for information I might have missed over the past year, since I realized there are things I didn't know while I was in the lab.
Being inside the lab makes you focus only on the target. We weren't allowed to access external networks so as not to disrupt the main purpose. We could only contact our families one-way. If you didn't have a goal there, it felt more like a prison than a research facility.
I was sitting alone in the corner of the library, away from the noise, with a small stack of books on the table.
My goal in seeking information isn't to learn everything. I'm just looking for things that could help me during the tournament. The rest I'll search for another time.
After getting information from Putri yesterday, I have something that needs to be searched for the information, so that I don't mess up when the day comes.
The first book I was reading was about newly discovered or recently created materials. Look like the Superpower helps them make it for the first time.
This book also explained some information about the combat uniform designed from those materials—namely, the school battle uniform.
The uniform is made using a new nano-based material. It's incredibly strong yet lightweight. When I wear it before, I also feel something different compared to regular clothes. It might not even get dirty.
When I first read about it, I thought, Did Iron Man finally exist in this world? Even if it's just the suit without the super weapons.
I thought about this a bit. But if it's a nanomaterial, wouldn't the rule of targeting the heart with weapons be meaningless? Knives wouldn't pierce it. Or is it not fully nano? Or maybe weapons are also made of nano-sharp material to penetrate the suit? I guess I'm overthinking.
I continued reading, switching books after books, and after focusing on reading, I did not realize how much time had passed.
The city bell rang. It was exactly 12 noon, as indicated by 12 chimes.
Coincidentally, I was starting to get hungry and planned to go out to find some food.
I left the library to find a place to eat. I just left the book on the table and will come back later, so i don't have to search for it one by one again.
Even though this place is a Pillar City dedicated to Power Users, it doesn't mean everything unrelated to Power is restricted.
It's like an educational city with restaurants, supply stores, and other student needs. Everything is provided for students and researchers.
Without going too far from the library, I stopped by and ate at a nearby diner. Not long after finishing my food, I returned to the library.
I left the books I was reading on the table, so if I took too long, the staff might have cleaned them up. It would've been a hassle to retrieve them again.
When I returned, the books were still there, but unexpectedly, a girl was reading one of them and sitting in there.
As I approached and she sensed my presence, she put down the book and looked at me.
"Did you take these books?"
"Yes. Is there a problem?"
I was subtly asking what her business was. It does not look like I'm making trouble, so just casually ask.
"No, I was just curious. New materials, powers, and magic books—a pretty unique combo."
"I'm just catching up on what I missed lately."
The feeling I got from her is comfort. There was nothing uncomfortable when seeing her, so I sat beside her and picked up one of the books.
"These books on magic and power are mid-level. I'm curious what you're trying to find out."
She pointed at the stack. Her tone reflected genuine interest.
"Roughly just to know. There are things I need to understand, but not that much."
She looked even more intrigued.
"So, what have you learned so far?"
Maybe this was a good opportunity to test my knowledge. If I were wrong, she could correct me. I figured it'd be like studying together.
"New material is basically a new structure. The current application is the school's combat uniform. Strong, elastic, and stain-resistant. All just like what's theorized about nanomaterials."
"Well, that's general knowledge these days. That's all?"
"I'm just looking for basic functions and uses, not deep knowledge. I don't intend to do engineering."
It might sound like an excuse, but it was true—I only get into details when it's something I like. For this, I prefer to stay general.
"What about Powers?"
"Esper, that's the title for someone with abilities. They gain their power through a contract with a monument. Everyone has different powers based on their desires. Their abilities only work within Pillar City. That's the simple version from the book."
"From the book?"
She seemed confused, but intrigued by my point of view. I had my own take on it, so I wasn't sticking strictly to the book.
Seeing her interest, I continued.
"Humans naturally have strengths, and their brains follow suggestions. Like someone who thinks they can't do something, then their brain and ability will be limited by that belief."
"So you mean…?"
She didn't quite get it.
"I think the monument just strengthens what we already believe."
"That's a fascinating thought."
She looked amazed at my opinion, her eyes sparkling.
I felt a bit guilty claiming it as mine. It wasn't entirely wrong, but I pieced it together from the monument—words like brain, ability, pattern, amplifier. I just strung it like a puzzle.
"What about magic?"
"Magic is a deviation for Espers. They still need a contract with a monument, but their power doesn't come from themselves. They need something called Mana. Magic users channel Mana into spells and can sense each other's Mana."
"Great foundational knowledge. Can you explain the mid-level stuff you just read?"
She kept asking without correcting me, so I figured I was getting it right.
I was actually enjoying the conversation.
Somehow, it reminded me of talking to Putri and Senior Helena. Even though we just met, I felt comfortable with her.
Actually, I'm not great at getting close to people in terms of being comfortable. Trusting someone like a true friend doesn't come easily. I just try to look friendly. For me, closeness means trust.
Like with Kyle—I don't fully trust him yet. My trust is just a lie to seem friendly. It might sound bad, but many people do the same when they first meet. Some trauma still intact in my brain.
For some reason, talking to her made me smile.
"Well then, about Espers—everyone has unique abilities. They can't be generalized but can be grouped by level:
* Level 1: Unknown ability
* Level 2: Known ability
* Level 3: Hard to perform
* Level 4: Easy to activate
* Level 5: Barely noticeable
* Level 6: Easily usable
* Level 7: Understands their ability
* Level 8: Gets used to it
* Level 9: Develops related abilities
* Level 10: Masters a sub-part of their ability
That's how I see it. What do you think?"
She clapped, looking impressed.
"I didn't know about the Esper Level breakdown. The book just said: has it, visible, usable, understood, and full mastery. Your explanation is really good."
She smiled and clapped her hands, visibly delighted.
"So how about Magic?"
She leaned in closer, eyes glowing with curiosity.
"Magic is a bit different from Esper skills. They channel Mana through Magic Circles made up of a gate, a processor, and a core.
Magic also has levels:
* Level 1: Sensing Mana
* Level 2: Channeling Mana
* Level 3: Difficulty using Magic
* Level 4: Can cast small spells
* Level 5: Easily casts spells
* Level 6: Gets used to using it
* Level 7: Stable small spells
* Level 8: Mid-tier magic
* Level 9: High-level magic
* Level 10: Original magic
Also, magic types are categorized: Enhancement, Manipulation, Element, Summon, Illusion/Mental, Alchemy, and Support Magic."
I still had more info, but since she asked for a brief explanation, I figured that was enough. She seemed satisfied too.
"I'm truly amazed by you. You're not even a magi—"
She suddenly stopped mid-sentence and looked at me again.
Seems like a familiar pattern—Violet, Sis Helena, and Putri. What now?
"You... have Mana, don't you?" she asked, uncertain and with a doubtful expression.
!!
She could sense even the tiniest Mana?! I only know mine is tiny because it's inside me, but she sensed it without touching me. Her magical perception is insane. Is she a high-level mage?!
I pulled out a blue crystal from my pocket.
"Maybe you sensed it from this?"
I held it up clearly for her to see.
I was so glad I brought it with me. Otherwise, I wouldn't know what excuse to make. I could lie with words, but I can't undo the fact that she sensed my Mana.
"Whoa! A Blue Crystal. Rare to see one of these."
She took it from me and examined it up close.
"This is nice. Hm, but this Mana…"
Again, she sensed something I didn't want revealed, so I quickly took the crystal back from her to avoid unwanted consequences.
"Maybe it's just your imagination. I'm just an Esper. No way I have Mana. Haha."
I forced a laugh to throw her off. Even if I don't know her well, I know that She is not that easy to fool and she is also sensing oddity.
"But…"
Just as she was about to speak, my phone buzzed.
I reached into my pocket—it was Alysha calling.
"Sorry, I've got to go. See you."
I left before she could respond.
Alysha's call came at just the right time. Now I could leave. I was starting to feel that if I stayed with her too long, my secrets would spill on their own.
I stepped outside the library and answered the call.
"Hello, Alysha. What's up?"
"Where are you right now?"
I had just stepped out after her call.
I was grateful she called. That girl had been putting strange pressure on me.
"The Grand Library near Lelore."
"Is that so?~"
Alysha sighed like she was disappointed.
"What's wrong?"
"I thought I could take you sightseeing with Violet. But I guess you already left."
This morning, before I went out, I had told her I'd be out today but didn't say when I'd be back. So she'd planned to show me around. It was partly my fault for not informing her.
"It's already late, but if you want, I can head back now."
"Let's do it tomorrow instead. I won't be satisfied if I can't show you everything. Just continue your search for now. Bye!"
"Alright then. Bye!"
I ended the call and slid the phone back into my pocket.
Now, where should I go? I can't just go back in after leaving that girl without a proper goodbye.
I peeked inside the library and saw the girl heading out. I quickly hid behind the nearest tree.
She came out, looked around, and then left when she couldn't find what she was looking for.
Once I was sure she was gone, I came out of hiding and returned to the library.
I went back to where I was reading before. The books were still on the table, so I didn't have to search again.
I resumed my information search until evening before wrapping up and heading home.