Chapter 60 Arcane Art Library
Ricardo, given a new assignment, hurriedly ran off somewhere to finish up his current project.
And busy Lord Osric ── he, saying "Just need a break," took me around the whole facility.
I've only seen him relaxing or taking breaks, but he's working nonstop in places outsiders can't see.
Probably.
"Wow, having both the first edition and the latest version? That's quite the luxury."
"Knowing how the established truths have changed over time can be useful too, you know."
As expected, I ended up glued to the Arcane Art library.
The textbooks I couldn't afford during school, rare books gone out of print before I was born and now worth a fortune, nostalgic ones always checked out at the library because they're so popular, plus the latest theories I haven't kept up with ── I can't possible check everything today in just a short time.
"Still, magic that cools your body down, huh? Nice."
Lost in browsing, I barely noticed the lord, who kept wiping sweat from his pocket-handkerchief, now sporting a fresh, post-bath glow on his face.
"In a way, that's very military magic. Using reinforcement magic to circulate cold air all over ── most folks wouldn't even think of that."
I only explained the basics of the magic I taught him ── no spell, just a feeling.
Luka, so skillful, took a while to master magic that's just intuitive, and he did it almost instantly.
That pure talent... it's still shocking how deep his potential runs.
"Actually, it's just recreating how a fridge works inside your body."
The fridge's circuitry is based on ice magic, so it's more like a loop back to the start ── an extension of what was already there.
"I see. Circulating magic like that is probably something the tech-mages understand best."
"But be careful. If you overdo it, you could get frostbite. Make sure to tell others properly."
Practicing with Thomas, who struggles with delicate magic manipulation, was tough.
The others took turns healing him, and by the time he finally got it, summer was nearly over.
It was fortunate that this magic could then be used to keep the body warm during winter.
"Guess the Arcanist with the weak stomach wouldn't get much out of this."
I zoned out, remembering the past, until a big laugh pulled me back.
I looked over and saw Lord Osric suddenly turn serious, giving a small nod.
"Guess we should start learning about Arcane Machinery too."
He waves me over, leading me to the darker end of the library.
Pointing, he shows me a whole row of books on Arcane Machinery.
──Below, there's a gap in the shelf, suggesting he's making a new spot for more books.
"I wasn't just joking around earlier. What do you say, wanna come teach us?"
"I'm honored by the offer, but I've got the shop to run."
Then, exaggeratedly, he lets his shoulders sag.
"Figured as much. Well, come by and hang out whenever you've got the time. Your library pass is good forever."
"Really?"
"Think of it as an apology from my brother. Ah, Kreis not becoming a court Arcanist was a real loss for me. Wonder how I should tease him."
He seems to like that idea a lot.
"...I didn't like the Arcanist department because of the professor, but it's not his fault I didn't become a court Arcanist. The army's offer just seemed more exciting, especially since it involved Arcane Machinery."
If the Arcanist department had been nicer to me, and if the army hadn't scouted me, what would I have done?
Being me, I might've ended up putting on that court Arcanist uniform, just going with the flow.
But looking back, I might've eventually quit and gone back to that shop out of sheer nostalgia.
Grandfather was counting on me to take over, after all.
"Haha, got it! Well then, let's keep this little favor between us. I'd love to see the look on your face when you realize you're protected."
He's got a good character.
If I were more like him, life might've been a bit easier.
We were deep in a serious discussion about the contents of the library and current research topics when the door to the archive opened.
"Tsukumo, you here?"
Yuruyana's voice echoed through the high ceiling.
"Yeah, I'm here."
He poked his head out from behind a bookshelf, revealing his hiding spot, then shyly scurried over.
"You done with that talk?"
"Yup. This place has a ton of books, huh?"
As Yuruyana gazed around the room filled with shelves taller than me, an older Arcanist entered and closed the door behind him, seemingly the one who had guided Yuruyana here.
"All Arcane Art books. You into this stuff too, Yuru-Yuru?"
Lord Osric stepped out from behind me, greeting us with a warm smile.
He seemed to welcome anyone involved with magic.
"Do you have books on the magic used by pharmacists?"
"Yeah, a few over here. Should I issue you a viewing permit too?"
"No, that's a bit much!"
He waved his hands frantically.
A permit seemed too easy to get.
"Is that so? Well, if you come with Kreis, I won't be mean and keep you out of the library."
If Yuruyana ever comes back, it'll probably be with me, so not having a special permit shouldn't be an issue.
"Thank you for your consideration."
"Then, I guess it's about time we wrapped up for today. Had a great time, Kreis."
"You too. I learned a lot."
When he shook the hand offered to him, it was firmer and less fragile than expected.
Come to think of it, I'd heard that court Arcanists used to go to the front lines during times of more widespread conflict.
There were whispers that the creation of an Arcanist Squad in the military was triggered by noble whims, wanting their children to make a name for themselves without actually going to war.
"Anyway, I'll be back soon to install the next cooling unit. See you both again."
"Sure will."
Lord Osric's overly sweet demeanor might have been a mix of guilt and atonement for getting me into dangerous situations instead of My.
The truth remains in the shadows.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!