Chapter 88. The Spirit of the Library

“What is the essence of Summoning Magic?”

Radel answered the library spirit, which had suddenly started asking questions.

“Movement.”

He was able to answer without hesitation because he had just taken a pop quiz on it a while ago.

Although Professor Marianne didn't delve deeply into theory, the knowledge he had heard during the freshman adjustment period remained in Radel's head.

And since all the magic he knew was what he learned after coming to the academy, it was easier for him to remember.

“What are the types of Summoning Magic?”

“You can summon matter, spirits, and even people.”

“Why is elemental magic a type of Summoning Magic?”

“Because it moves an image into reality.”

The library spirit continued to ask about Summoning Magic after that, but there was nothing Radel couldn't answer.

“What in the world are you?”

“Pardon?”

The library spirit flew to Radel and stopped right in front of his nose.

And it began to shout.

“I made sure that freshmen couldn't be told specifics about the library. So why are you answering so well!”

“Ah, that explains it.”

He had thought that the seniors at the Grade Representative Meeting were all giving him vague advice, and it seemed this was the reason.

At Radel's nonchalant reaction, the library spirit asked back.

“Explains what?”

“It's nothing much. The seniors just told me I would know when I went to the library.”

“Khahaha, that's right! Because I asked for a restriction to be placed so that those who use the library can't speak about me!”

The library spirit, seemingly pleased with Radel's answer, flapped its pages and flew around the sky.

“That way, the foolish ones will come unprepared and be trapped here to suffer! Khahaha!”

Radel grew suspicious at the spirit's words, which seemed to want to keep students trapped in the library.

As if it couldn't be the only one to suffer this pain…….

“By any chance, are you, spirit of the library, also trapped here?”

“You brat!”

At Radel's question, the spirit of the library plummeted from the sky.

It was truly a spirit with a mercurial personality.

“How dare you say such a thing in front of me!”

“I apologize if I made a mistake. I was just curious as to why such a great spirit like you is here and so I….”

“Grrr.”

As Radel soothed it with pleasing words at its angry appearance, the spirit of the library smoothed out its frown.

“I'm not trapped! I merely made a trivial contract with the academy.”

“I see. Thanks to that, I'm glad I can have a conversation with a spirit like you.”

Not only was it capable of conversation, but a spirit that could teach people must be a great high-level spirit.

On top of that, it was possible to summon a soul directly just by picking up a book.

It must possess enough power to interfere with everyone who uses the library.

“Of course, that's a given! You'd be shocked if you knew where I came from! Though I can't tell a brat like you. Khahaha!”

“It must be a great place that I don't know of.”

By now, Radel had a rough grasp of the library spirit's personality.

As Radel humored it, the spirit of the library flew around as if dancing before stopping in front of Radel again.

“You know how to say some rather pleasing things. Now, show me the Summoning Magic you know.”

This time, it was a different request than when it had asked questions before.

It was a grateful spirit that taught not only theory but also practical skills.

Radel, without being flustered, showed it the magic he had learned during the Summoning Magic lectures in order.

Torch magic used for lighting fires, light beam magic that was a variation of light element magic, and so on.

They were basic elemental spells, but he had modified them in his own way, making them quite useful in daily life.

‘Is this okay?’

As Radel demonstrated the magic, the spirit of the library floated in the air and watched Radel's magic.

And moving up and down, it said this.

“You are a prepared one. I grant you permission to read Volume 1.”

It was that simple?

When Radel, who heard those words, blinked his eyes in surprise, he was back in the library.

It was sudden when his soul moved into the book, but it was also sudden when he came back to reality.

Radel, feeling dazed, checked the Understanding Summoning Magic, Volume 1 in his hand.

Opening it, he saw it was an ordinary magic theory book.

It didn't seem like there was any magic cast on the book itself.

He could only guess that the giant magic circle on the library floor was related to summoning the library spirit.

In any case, it seemed one had to pass the spirit's test to read the library's books.

If so, would it be the same when reading Volume 2?

Radel's hand immediately pulled out Understanding Summoning Magic, Volume 2.

And in an instant, his consciousness was sucked into another space again.

“What is it?”

The library spirit was looking at Radel as if dumbfounded.

“Huh, you've already read all of Volume 1? Are you some kind of speed-reading genius?”

Radel just smiled awkwardly because he had only intended to check.

The library spirit, which had been snorting, flapped its pages and shook its body.

“It doesn't matter. You understood Volume 1, so you moved on to Volume 2! Let's see if you can answer my questions!”

Radel could finally understand the library's system now.

And also why Professor Marianne had said he just needed to bring the students at risk of failing to the library.

‘It certainly seems possible if it's just a matter of bringing them to the library.’

He didn't need to personally teach his friends to save them from failing.

It was a problem that could be solved by bringing them to the library and having them pick up a book.

Radel now felt that he could save his friends' grades.

* * *

“Phew.”

Radel held Understanding Summoning Magic, Volume 3 in his hand and took a deep breath for a moment.

He had somehow managed to finish up to the exam scope.

Looking at the clock hanging in the library, very little time had passed while Radel was meeting the library spirit.

It was possible because his body was in reality, and only his soul was summoned.

‘If it's like this, I might be able to study for hours.’

But to move on to the next book, he had to answer the spirit's questions without hesitation.

On top of that, it asked him to show magic as well as theory, so he couldn't help but be exhausted in many ways.

Even though he hadn't actually moved his body, he was mentally very tired.

Radel, without realizing it, took out a candy from his pocket.

It was the snack Senior Anesha had told him to pack.

“……So this is what it feels like to have a sugar crash.”

Radel muttered as he unwrapped the candy and put it in his mouth.

His seniors' advice was indeed right.

He also understood why Senior Shartea had told him to bring a sword.

The library spirit had shown interest when it saw the sword at Radel's waist.

‘What is that?’

‘It's a sword, as you can see……. Is there a problem?’

‘This is a magic academy, and you're carrying a sword?’

When the library spirit had said that, he thought it was because it didn't like it.

‘Do you know how to use a sword?’

‘I can manage Basic Swordsmanship.’

‘Is that so?’

However, the library spirit hadn't asked because it didn't like the sword.

It was the opposite.

‘If you show me some swordsmanship in front of me, I might cut you some slack on a few questions.’

The library spirit needlessly flapped its pages and spun in the air.

It seemed somewhat embarrassed.

‘It's not that I'm tired of the clumsy magic the academy brats show me all the time!’

He must be tired of seeing magic.

Radel understood.

How boring must it be to be trapped in the library, only asking students questions about magic every day?

He must be sick of the similar-looking magic he had to see every time the academy students opened a book.

‘Very well. I will show you my swordsmanship.’

Radel readily accepted the proposal.

It was the moment when Senior Shartea's advice to bring a sword shone.

When Radel demonstrated his swordsmanship a few times, the spirit of the library, as if very satisfied, spread its pages wide.

‘Hey, that's some pretty decent swordsmanship!’

‘You praise me too highly.’

‘I don't give compliments! If it sounded like that, it's your delusion!’

It was a truly strange spirit.

Praising one moment and then getting upset right after.

Anyway, the library spirit, after seeing Radel's swordsmanship, skipped a few questions as promised.

He thought it wouldn't just let it slide, given the library spirit's personality.

To show this much generosity, it seemed it was really a good thing he brought the sword.

And so, Radel was able to safely progress up to Understanding Summoning Magic, Volume 3.

‘With a spirit like this in the library, it's no wonder the academy's graduates stand out.’

He could understand why the people of the Empire considered the academy the best magical educational institution.

The entrance exam, the freshman adjustment period, and now the library.

Passing just one wasn't easy, but to attend the academy, one had to overcome all of this.

Naturally, these were experiences that were overwhelming for ordinary people.

The surprising thing was that he had only attended up to the first semester of the first year.

More of his academy life was waiting for Radel in the future.

* * *

Radel came out of the library.

Not only had he visited his intended destination, the library, but he had also been able to study Summoning Magic.

He felt proud, but he was also hungry from using up a lot of mental energy.

Chewing on the dried fruit he had prepared, Radel took out a piece of paper from his pocket and unfolded it.

It was the list of students at risk of failing that Professor Marianne had given him.

The names of a considerable number of freshmen were written on the list.

Among them were Inette's and Tunia's names.

Radel stopped in his tracks.

“Why are these two on the failing list…?”

He looked at the list again, but he hadn't misread the names.

Inette Dastion Cretian.

Tunia Fiore.

‘I can understand Inette, but Tunia too?’

Well, in Tunia's case, she had been focused only on taking down Black Fang until now, so it could be understandable.

When she was busy with assassination missions, it seemed she was thinking of quitting the academy at any time.

In that situation, studying would not have been on her mind.

And as for Inette, well… it wasn't that surprising.

“I need to take them to the library quickly.”

Radel made a firm resolution.

Of all people, his closest friends were at risk of failing.

He thought it was right to save them first.

Having experienced the library for himself, he knew there was no better way to study.

It was to a level where he could understand why the professors didn't feel the need to give separate theory lectures.

He couldn't be the only one to know about such a great place.

Sharing good things with friends is more rewarding.

“Who should I take first?”

Radel briefly contemplated whether to take Tunia or Inette to the library first.

Inette was the more urgent case, but it seemed right to go find Tunia first.

He judged that if he could recruit Tunia, who was a former assassin, it would be easier to take other friends to the library.

Especially friends like Inette, who didn't seem like they would obediently go to the library just by being persuaded with words.

“I should go find Tunia first.”

Sometimes, a little bit of force was necessary to guide someone onto a good path.