The library's internal chime settled, and the silence returned—heavy, clean, and humming with potential. Xavier pushed the thought of his newfound 'reproductive security' aside and focused on the interface glowing serenely before him.
[Reward Unlocked: Basic Spell Tomes & Beginner Alchemical Recipes.]
[Accessing New Wings...]
A low, resonant sound—like the shift of continental plates—echoed faintly from the back of the chamber. When Xavier looked up, the infinite rows of bare shelves had not changed, but two new aisles had materialized near the back, flanking the shimmering Dimensional Nexus Gate.
One aisle glowed with a soft, ethereal blue, the other with a warm, verdant green.
Xavier pushed himself off the counter and walked toward the blue wing first. His boots made no sound on the marble, a luxury he was quickly getting used to.
The Basic Spell Tomes wing was minimalist, yet staggering. Instead of scrolls or books, the walls were lined with polished crystal shelves, and on each shelf floated a single, perfect construct: a shimmering orb of light containing a foundational Tier 1 spell.
He reached for the nearest one, labeled: [Firebolt - Tier 1 Primer].
As his hand approached, a wave of information flowed from the orb, but the system intercepted it, projecting a condensed summary only for the Keeper.
[Firebolt - Tier 1 Primer: Detailed knowledge on the fundamental principle of converting ambient mana into thermal energy. Focuses on perfect mana efficiency, resulting in a projectile that consumes 70% less mana than standard guild methods while achieving peak kinetic stability. Includes advanced understanding of the "Ignition Point" concept, enabling immediate casting without incantation for masters.]
Xavier whistled softly. "So, this isn't just a book on Firebolt. It's the perfect Firebolt."
He realized the genius—and the audacity—of the Library's knowledge. Every mage in the Shrouded Cloud Empire learned Firebolt, but their spells were crude, inefficient, and mana-hungry. The Library didn't teach complex new spells; it taught the absolute truth of the simplest spells, turning Tier 1 magic into an art form that even high-tier mages rarely mastered.
A novice mage who internalized this "Basic" knowledge would instantly outclass peers who had studied for years at the most prestigious academies. This justified the one Mana Crystal fee perfectly.
Next, he turned to the green wing: Beginner Alchemical Recipes.
Here, the knowledge took the form of small, intricate geometric models hovering above stone workbenches. The nearest model was labeled: [Standard Mana Potion - Recipe Zero].
[Standard Mana Potion - Recipe Zero: The fundamental formula for restoring mana capacity. Uses commonly available herbs (Tier 1-2). Key insight: Perfect molecular structuring of the catalyst, yielding a potency boost of +50% compared to all known recipes on the Valoria Continent. Guarantees zero side effects or residual spiritual contamination. Note: Requires a clean room environment (Tier 1 Purification Array).]
Xavier stared at the note. Zero side effects. Increased potency. This was a revolution. Every potion in Elysium came with risks or minor long-term mana pollution. The Library's knowledge could fundamentally change the life of any Alchemist or Knight relying on elixirs.
"I see," Xavier murmured, running a hand over the cool, smooth surface of a workbench. "This place doesn't sell content; it sells perfection. The Mana Crystal is for the license to use the truth."
He returned to the counter, feeling the weight of his responsibility shift from dread to exhilarating opportunity. His current main task was to get nine more patrons. Lin Yijun, the mage, would spread the word—cautiously—among his peers. But that could take days, maybe weeks. Xavier needed a more immediate solution.
He settled back down, glancing at the ticking clock. The sun had begun to set over Sovereign City, casting long, purple shadows through the glass door. The street was becoming quiet, the sounds of carriage wheels and merchant calls giving way to the distant, deep clang of the Royal Guard patrols.
Nine more. I need variety. Not just Mages. I need a Knight.
He felt a deep sense of impatience, tapping his fingers against the counter's surface. He wanted the Advanced Reading Chambers. He wanted the Library Expansion. He was done being a victim of fate; he was ready to start running this interdimensional operation like a business.
Just as the last sliver of the afternoon sun vanished below the horizon, casting the alley in deep shadow, the glass door creaked open again.
The light scent of ozone and iron filled the library, instantly dispelling the clean aroma of knowledge.
The figure who entered was immense. He wore full, blackened steel plate armor, scarred and dented, suggesting he had just come from a severe skirmish. His pauldron bore the fading crest of the Iron Sentinel Regiment, a famed military unit known for its resilience. He moved with the heavy, exhausted grace of a warrior who had been fighting too long.
He wasn't an Archknight, but he was certainly a high-Tier warrior—Tier 4, maybe Tier 5—judging by the dense, regulated flow of Battle Mana that radiated from his core, even in his fatigue.
The Knight's helmet was off, revealing a face streaked with dirt and stubble, framed by sweat-soaked brown hair. His eyes,the color of storm clouds, were not hostile, but ravaged by an immediate, agonizing worry. He had been wandering the back alleys, lost and desperate, looking for any hidden temple or healer who might take his plea. When he saw the small, impossibly clean glass building, he had shoved the door open, mistaking the strange silence for the sanctum of a reclusive healer.He ignored the vast, empty library and walked straight to the counter.
"I need help," his voice was a deep, gravelly rasp. "I need an answer, now. Is this a temple? A sanctuary?"
Xavier raised an eyebrow, taking in the sheer force of the man's despair. "This is the Library of Truth. I'm the Keeper."
The Knight dismissed the title with a shake of his head. "I don't care what it is. I need the knowledge required to purify a Blood Curse."
Xavier stared at the desperate face.he could already guess that Blood Curse was an high-tier affliction.
The Knight didn't wait for an answer, fumbling inside a pouch strapped to his belt. He pulled out a large, heavy cloth bag, which clinked ominously. He opened the drawstring and dumped the contents onto the counter.
Not one, but three sparkling Mana Crystals tumbled out, along with a scattering of gold coins and small, cut gems.
"Three crystals," the Knight said, his voice trembling slightly beneath the exhaustion. "Is that enough for a start? I need the answer now. My younger brother—he has three days, or he loses his mind forever. Tell me you have something. Anything. My name is Sir Kaelen of the Iron Sentinel Regiment."
Xavier looked from the desperate Knight to the pile of currency, then at his system screen, where the Side Task: Acquire Rare Knowledge Fragment (1/1) – Pending still mocked him.
This wasn't just a patron. This was an opportunity and a crisis rolled into one.
"Before you can access the knowledge," Xavier said, his voice calm despite the mounting pressure, "I need to register you as a patron. That requires one of those crystals."