(A/N: Happy New Year. I'm not happy. I got hit in the ass by fireworks a few minutes ago. I'm not kidding.)

The bright daylight slid through the stained glass windows, bouncing and dissolving in the cracks of the old bookshelves. The dust seemed to take on a golden hue as it gently floated around, dancing with the ebb and flow of the air's current.

I stood in front of the entrance, completely speechless and donning an awed expression. It was hard to believe that I was able to enter such a magical place. The empty aisles of the library was both a disappointment and a pleasure.

I wouldn't consider myself the type of person who's fond of reading. The only reason my studying continues to awe my tutors is because I was strictly taught back in my previous life. I was that college student who spent all of his extra time studying for tests or studying for academic competitions. The only reason why I was so excited about this library was one thing...

Magic.

As that college student who constantly studied and devoted all his extra energy to academia, my life was exceedingly dull. If not for my previous sister who seemed to be the one unstable and deranged factor in my life, perhaps I would have gone insane long ago. Thus, when I transmigrated and realized that I had access to something that could only be considered fantastical—magic—I guess my world just lit up.

Originally, I was only practicing magic in secret in hopes of overcoming the capture targets and any death flags. However, I soon became very passionate about the subject. I didn't know if it was because of the novelty of 'studying' magic seriously or if it was because it was just fun and I had a natural talent in it, but it had soon became something I didn't know if I could let go.

"So? Where do you want to visit first, Remi?" Cyrus flashed his signature angelic smile. I flashed an equally bright smile and waved him away.

"I'm going off by myself. Thank you for bringing me here, I really appreciate it, now, if you'll excuse me-" I then dashed off as fast as the wind before Cyrus could attach himself back onto my hip. Climbing floor-by-floor without a single drop of fatigue, I breezed past countless book shelves ranging from spicy romance to guides on how to properly place a chair without it toppling over.

I stopped on the seventh level. It seems that Cyrus had given up on following me around the archives for the day, as I no longer felt the mana presence of a hidden bodyguard (who I was sure was employed by Cyrus, if not, then who else?) or found his figure trailing a few steps behind me with a grin on his face. I felt the sweet, familiar scent of the library gently permeate my senses. A flood of uncontrollable ecstasy overcame me as I touched the old wood banister.

'Increased Mana Enhancement through Bloor's Expansion Methods', 'Basic Water Magic Inscriptions Volume IV', 'The Development of Planck's Method'... I brushed my hand over countless publications, sauntering through bookshelves and collecting countless books as I pleased. By the time I made it to the corner, where I had set my notebook and pencil to mark my territory, my arms were filled with stacks of books piled so high they were this close to tumbling. I set them all down with a heave and rubbed my tired shoulders sorely before flopping onto one of the velvet armchairs.

I looked around my surroundings. The large floor-to-ceiling window lit up the area. Two large, long bookshelves were placed so there was only a small opening to exit, which gave a feel of an enclosed oasis. I nodded resolutely in approval. Of course a brilliant person such as I chose a brilliant place to read. Even Cyrus won't be able to find me now!

With that, I promptly grabbed the nearest stack's topmost book and started reading.

----

I didn't know how long I had spent reading. Perhaps they had already eaten lunch and had given up on finding me. Heh, those capture targets got nothing on me. I yawned and reached for the next book. 'Incorporations of Electricity into Modern Mana Usage', it read. Maybe I can be of some help to the author. I did live in another modern age where electricity was the center of daily life, after all. I searched the book cover for the author name, but found nothing. Hm, strange. I tapped the pentip to my chin and took out my notebook. I'll write my notes and ask Mother who wrote this later.

I flipped open the book and began to read the first chapter, but I was almost immediately interrupted by someone entering the corner. I instantly looked up with a startled expression. Standing in front of me was a tall, devilish-looking child holding an almost equally large stack of books that I did before. His fox eyes blankly bored into me as he processed the situation. I could almost see the loading icon hovering above his head.

"Why are you... in my spot?" He asked dazedly. His eyes flitted around the sealed-off corner, spotting the tall stacks of books littering the area. "Wait, what's going on...?" He put down the pile of books he carried and silently walked towards the vacant chair beside me. It was clear that it was a habit for him.

I, equally dazed, paid no mind to his antics and was equally confused. Huh?! How did I not sense his presence? I use an advanced technique stemming from an old tome that many people haven't read! How does this person know to combat it?! I snuck a glance at him, filled with curiosity and enthusiasm for this strange development. But sadly, he was already absorbed in a book and I didn't want to disturb him, so I picked up my book again and started to take notes. With that, time flew by and the sound of rustling paper filled the room once more.

It was only when the sun began to set in which I began to awaken from my book-induced stupor. The darkness soon overtook the room and I began to squint to try to read the words on the page. Hmph. I hate the dark. I stood up abruptly and started to stretch. My hands, sore from writing the stale position of turning the page, flexed open and closed as I yawned.

Someone shifted next to me and breathed a quiet yawn.

"Gueh!" I gasped and leaped away with my arms fumbling about. Since when was there a person next to me?! What was going on! How did they escape my- oh, it was that person.

I glanced sideways and saw him covering his mouth and stretching his arm to the sky. His fox eyes squinted as he leaned back, and his small mouth opened wide showing revealing small canine teeth. He kind of seemed like... a puppy.

I held back my urge to pet his head and turned away, blushing. I hastily extended my arm to keep myself busy and transferred my mana to the tip of my forefinger. I was determined to implement the new technique I had learned today.

Soon, small drops of gleaming gold began to dribble down my fingertip, pooling into small clusters of golden light. As it seeped into the floorboards, the entire area began to glow a soft white. In the corner of my eye, I saw the teen light up with curiosity as his eyes darted around the room with wonder.

"How did you do that!" He exclaimed. His fists pumped up and down with excitement. I could almost see two dog ears flopping up and down and a tail wagging behind him. ...Cute.

I nodded absentmindedly, once more restraining my urge to go over and pet his head. "...Wiverm's Trail..." I mumbled in response.

Ah, his tail started swinging faster. "Wiverm's Trail in Orlin and Viresty! Of course! I read that too! You must have a fire attribute. How did you find his technique from the grave fiasco! I've been looking for that since forever!"

"YOU'VE READ THAT? SERIOUSLY? I've never met anyone who's read Wiverm's Trail! No, I tried looking for his technique in his book, but found nothing! In fact, only today did I read something which his companion wrote which involved his magic did I finally find the technique! It was fascinating, I think the book is still somewhere here, let me get it..."

Ahh, his ears perked up. "You have it?! Yes, please lend it to me! Actually tell me where you found the shelf! I've never seen it before, I wanna know where it is."

"I'll tell you, but only if you tell me how you managed to block my mana presence sensing! I was so surprised at how you managed to sneak up on me when you came in!"

He choked and frantically stood. "So it was you who tried to grasp my presence! I was wondering who knew of that advanced spell! In fact, I wanted to ask around to see! I don't know anyone who managed to pull that off except for you! Even I tried after reading Born's Effects on Lifeblood Aura, but I couldn't! Tell me how you did it!"

"Well, I just..."

The conversation lasted for hours as we just chatted about different books we read over the years and interesting discoveries we made. We laughed about ridiculous ancient tomes on medicinal practices and were close to dying from shortness of breath when we read about how patients were castrated because doctors were once worried about parasitic worms growing on their balls, eventually taking over their body.

The sun soon faded from view, and a starry sky welcomed us. The glow from the walls around made the closed-off corner feel like an ethereal oasis. Our conversations soon faded as we turned to admire the view outside the slightly frosted window. I turned my gaze towards him. He noticed my sudden shift and turned to meet my view. The stars around us shimmered brilliantly and the dimly lit walls set a strange atmosphere around us. I looked into his eyes, not even noticing that he began to approach me...

"Oh! Right, that was what I was going to ask you! What's your name?" I looked straight forward once more and struck my fist to my hand. I beamed. Looking closer at his face really helped me remember my question.

Ah, he seems kind of displeased now...? Huh, I wonder why.

"Has anyone ever told you you're dense...?"

I thought back.

"Young Master, you're really dense... just please be careful next time."

"Please just don't do these sorts of things anymore... why is my brother so dense, I swear..."

"My dense little Remi~ give me a hug~"

"Son, please try to break out of your density and just see what's really going on around you..."

"Uhhh... nope. Never."

"Well, then this will be your first. You're as dense as a rock... really."