Silence filled the Library.
Lionel stood motionless.
William.
The librarian had casually spoken the name.
As if mentioning the weather.
As if he hadn't just shattered several years of future knowledge.
The system sounded concerned.
[...I don't like that.]
"Neither do I."
The librarian tilted his head.
"Something wrong?"
Lionel immediately smiled.
A perfect noble smile.
"No."
The librarian stared.
Lionel stared back.
The librarian smiled.
Lionel smiled.
The system sighed.
[This is two suspicious people pretending not to be suspicious.]
Eventually the librarian shrugged.
"Very well."
Lionel silently added another note to his growing list.
William was changing.
Or something was changing him.
Because according to the original timeline—
William shouldn't even know this place existed yet.
Which meant one thing.
Something was interfering.
---
Fate.
The word surfaced naturally.
The system immediately responded.
[You thinking what I'm thinking?]
"Possibly."
[The world is cheating.]
Lionel nodded slightly.
The world always favored William.
Opportunities.
Luck.
Coincidences.
Everything somehow worked out.
But this?
This felt different.
It felt deliberate.
---
The librarian suddenly gestured.
"Follow me."
Lionel complied.
The old man led him deeper into the Library.
Past shelves larger than castles.
Past books written in languages that no longer existed.
Past ancient spirits quietly reading.
Some looked human.
Others looked like dragons.
One looked like a floating eyeball wearing glasses.
Lionel decided not to ask.
---
Eventually—
they arrived at an enormous statue.
Lionel froze.
Because he immediately recognized the figure.
King Solomon.
---
The statue towered over everything.
One hand held a book.
The other held a staff.
Countless floating runes orbited around him.
His eyes seemed alive.
Watching.
Judging.
Thinking.
---
The system went quiet.
Very quiet.
Then—
[Boss.]
"What."
[Why does he look like the kind of guy who knows my search history?]
Lionel almost laughed.
Almost.
---
The librarian looked up respectfully.
"King Solomon."
"The Founder."
"The First Keeper."
"The Creator of Witches."
"The Lord of Magic."
"The Wisest King."
"The Builder of the Library."
"The Creator of Wishcraft."
The list continued.
And continued.
And continued.
---
Lionel frowned.
"Did he ever sleep?"
The librarian blinked.
Then laughed.
A genuine laugh.
"You are not the first person to ask that."
---
The old man suddenly became serious.
"Many seek Solomon's power."
"Many seek his spells."
"Many seek his artifacts."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"Fools."
---
Lionel listened carefully.
Because this sounded important.
---
The librarian pointed upward.
Far above.
Beyond the visible floors.
Beyond the clouds of knowledge.
Beyond everything.
Lionel could barely see it.
A throne.
A distant throne floating at the highest point of the Library.
---
"The true inheritance lies there."
"The Throne of Solomon."
---
Lionel stared.
The system stared.
Even the floating eyeball seemed interested.
---
"How do you reach it?"
The librarian smiled.
A smile that suddenly felt dangerous.
---
"Twelve Trials."
---
The Library trembled.
Just slightly.
As if acknowledging the words.
---
"Twelve tests created by Solomon himself."
"Twelve proofs of wisdom."
"Twelve judgments."
---
Lionel felt his instincts scream.
Danger.
Real danger.
---
"What happens if somebody fails?"
The librarian became silent.
Very silent.
---
Then he answered.
"Everything."
---
The atmosphere changed instantly.
---
The old man continued.
"Knowledge is extracted."
"Reason is extracted."
"Understanding is extracted."
"You keep your memories."
"But lose the ability to comprehend them."
---
Lionel's eyes narrowed.
Even the system sounded uncomfortable.
[...That's horrifying.]
---
The librarian nodded.
"As intended."
---
Lionel suddenly understood.
This wasn't a challenge.
It was a filter.
A machine designed to separate the wise from everyone else.
---
The librarian looked toward the distant throne.
"For thousands of years."
"Nobody has succeeded."
---
Silence.
---
Then he added casually—
"Most never attempt it."
---
"Why?"
---
The librarian smiled.
---
"Because intelligent people understand how likely they are to fail."
---
The system immediately lost control.
[THAT'S THE MOST INSULTING THING I'VE EVER HEARD.]
---
Lionel rubbed his forehead.
Unfortunately—
the old man had a point.
---
The librarian suddenly looked directly at him.
For the first time.
Not at the ring.
Not at the title.
At Lionel himself.
---
"You are thinking about attempting it."
---
Lionel froze.
---
The old man sighed.
---
"Every future Solomon does."
---
Future Solomon.
Not candidate.
Not visitor.
Future Solomon.
---
The words echoed inside Lionel's mind.
---
Far away—
beyond the Library.
Beyond kingdoms.
Beyond continents.
A sleeping shepherd suddenly opened his eyes.
William Von Ainsworth stared at the night sky.
A strange headache pulsed behind his eyes.
Fragments.
Dreams.
Memories that weren't memories.
Knowledge that shouldn't exist.
---
A voice whispered.
Not from the system.
Not from a god.
Not from a demon.
---
From Fate itself.
---
Protect him.
---
William frowned.
Not understanding why.
---
Meanwhile—
inside the Library—
Lionel unknowingly looked toward the same future.
And for the first time—
the two greatest pieces on the board had begun moving.
Neither realizing the game had already started.