Having left the table to search for books related to Arkamek and his ancient empire, Artanis used the biggest and most powerful tool at her disposal, the library’s employees. With their help, she had already found six books.
She believed these texts contained important tips about the ancient doctor who had heard of Asariel at his deathbed, the location of Arkamek's tomb.
However, due to her curiosity of the game's lore, Artanis had taken a few books. These held no relation to the research topic that she and Edward had joined forces to complete.
Among such books, there were two in particular which stood out, being part of the same series of books. The overall theme being an ancient language spoken by the inhabitants of the Versallian continent.
By now, Artanis had already gathered a respectable amount of books, enough to affect her movement speed; there was a constant need to rebalance them due to the weight
There was, however, still a certain book she had yet to find, one that led her to once again ask for the help of the library’s staff; she approached a girl arranging the books from a small cart, into one of the shelves beside her.
“Excuse me, could you help me?” Artanis asked from behind the pile of books she was carrying, covering most of her upper body and exposing only part of her head behind it.
“Sure.” The young librarian smiled as she took a few books from Artanis’s hands.
“No... Well, I suppose that also helps. But what I wanted was your help in finding something.” Artanis said while smiling at the librarian who helped her carry the books.
“And what would it be?” The young librarian asked.
“I am looking for a book about growing, living swords.” Said Artanis, her words causing the female librarian’s cheeks to attain a deep crimson color.
“I suppose there’s nothing wrong, with having such interests at your age.” The young, female librarian mumbled while avoiding Artanis’s eyes.
“What... Wait a second! You got it all wrong!” Artanis was nearly screeching in surprise, about the young and innocent looking librarian's dirty mind.
It took her a few minutes to explain exactly what she was looking for; despite this, Artanis did not manage to find the book she wanted. She did, however, received a promise from the young librarian, called Martha; that she would ask the head librarian about swords capable of growth.
Having wasted enough time, Artanis returned to the reading area, where she saw Edward reading a small black book. Before she could even approach him, he rose from his chair angrily staring at the small book he had been reading.
“What the hell is this?” Screamed Edward, quickly closing the small black leather book he held.
Amidst his frustration, he had forgotten one of the most important rules of a library, the rule of silence. If not for the fact he joined a group’s chat channel, which effectively blocked his voice to everyone outside of it, his behavior would have attracted at least one of the many NPC’s attention and not in a positive way.
“What's the problem?” queried Artanis. After seating on a nearby chair, his answer came in the form of the small book he was reading; he threw it to her soon after she asked.
“Just what...” She mumbled in wonder as she read the books contents.
Inside the book's leather pages were strange patterns, aligned in a way resembling a text. Had it been written in a foreign language such as Korean or Arabic, the game's automatic translation system would have translated it to the language set at the capsule's system configuration.
Since that was not the case, Artanis concluded that it was some kind of code or language, which belonged only to this world.
“Whatever it is, we don’t have any means of discovering its meaning.” Said Artanis, closing the mysterious book and setting it aside on the table and directing her attention towards one of the many books she had brought.
Arantis closed the mysterious book and set it aside on the table, “Whatever it is, we don’t have any means of discovering its meaning.” She then directed her attention towards one of the many books she had brought.
“You’re right. Before we continue, let's exchange our findings.” Sighed Edward, who was severely disappointed with the black leather book he had received from the hands of an old librarian NPC. That being pleased with the fact he was such an avid reader, decided to aid Edward at his research.
Admittedly, after receiving the curious book from the librarian`s hands and being told of its connection to the ancient kingdom of Karnagmiel, Edward had been filled with hope that it would lead him to the completion of his research.
As both he and Artanis failed to decrypt whatever code was written on the book, they shared the scarce information they had managed to gather, increasing the research’s completion to 44%.
Subsequently, both changed their focus to the other books, brought to the table by each of them. They were so focused in their reading that they barely noticed the majority of the other players had already left the library, which now seemed even quieter than before.
The only thing which broke the silence was a familiar ringing sound, which only Artanis or Edward could hear every time one of them finished reading one of the books.
King Arkmek's Tomb Research: 46%.
You have finished reading the book: Versailles's Ancient Geography.
Wisdom has permanently been increased by 1.
King Arkmek's Tomb Research: 48%.
You have finished reading the book: The Study Of Karnagmiel’s Ruins.
Wisdom has permanently been increased by 1.
King Arkmek's Tomb Research: 49%.
You have finished reading the book: Karnagmiel’s Architecture.
Wisdom has permanently been increased by 1.
Art has permanently been increased by 1.
King Arkmek's Tomb Research: 50%.
You have finished reading the book: Karnagmiel's Cult Of Darkness.
Wisdom has permanently been increased by 1.
Artanis and Edward after finishing reading every single book they had gathered about their research subject shared their findings once again, raising their total research to 54%.
"Just 54% after all this work," Said Edward before sighing Edward said before letting out a long sigh, "Anyway, I am thirsty, want something?" He asked as he left his chair.
"No thanks, I am fine." Answered Artanis as she grabbed one of the unrelated books she had picked.
"Okay, I will be right back." Said Edward before he left her alone at the library.
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Artanis planned to resume her search for books related to Karnagmiel, but before she did so, she wanted to read the four unrelated books that piqued her interest during the last search.
The one she started to read as Edward left was particularly interesting because of its theme. As Artanis finished it, a pair of message windows appeared before her, nearly at the same time a smile formed on her lips.
You have finished reading the book: Elven Folklore.
Wisdom has permanently been increased by 1.
You have learned the skill: Bookworm.
Skill Name:Skill Rank:Skill Level:Skill Experience:BookwormBasic10%The mark of a true scholar, by immersing oneself in books, endless knowledge can be acquired. Improve one’s reading speed by 8%, as well as their memorization skills by 4%.
‘If only I had that skill a few hours ago...’ Pondered Artanis. At first glance, 8% may not seem like much, but she would have shortened her research by at least half-hour. Her new skill, however, would be put into good use, considering the size of two of the three remaining telephone directory sized books.
You have finished reading the book: History of Rockheim.
Wisdom has permanently been increased by 1.
You have finished reading the book: Ancient Words of Versailles: Volume One.
Wisdom has permanently been increased by 1.
Intelligence has permanently been increased by 1.
Skill Name:Skill Rank:Skill Level:Skill Experience:Ancient VersaillianBasic10%A dead language spoken ages ago by the inhabitants of the continent of Versailles, its existence is only known by scholars, magicians and ancient creatures.
Permits you to read and speak a few words in this elder language, one must be careful in its use as such words hold a mysterious power, decreasing the MP cost of any spell by 1% when used during the chanting phase.
‘Interesting.’ Thought Artanis, as she reached for the last book she had gathered.
You have finished reading the book: Ancient Words of Versailles: Volume Two.
Wisdom has permanently been increased by 1.
Intelligence has permanently been increased by 1.
Your skill Ancient Versaillian changed to: Intermediate Ancient Versaillian.
Wisdom has permanently been increased by 5.
Intelligence has permanently been increased by 5.
Skill Name:Skill Rank:Skill Level:Skill Experience:Ancient VersaillianIntermediate10%A dead language spoken ages ago by the inhabitants of the continent of Versailles, its existence is only known by scholars, magicians and ancient creatures.
Permits you to read, write and speak a most words in this elder language, one must be careful in its use as such words hold a mysterious power, decreasing the MP cost of any spell by 11% when used during the chanting phase.
Bookworm skill level has increased to basic level 2.
Something clicked inside Artanis’s mind after she had finished reading the books. This new language she learned, specifically this language’s distinctive alphabet, she had seen it before.
“Where’s that book?” Artanis mumbled as she searched for the odd black leather book she could not read before. Opening it, she saw the unreadable symbolic code slowly transform into her own language.
‘If not for my curiosity, I would have never found this.’ Thought Artanis while she read the black leather book; the book which turned out to be a copy of Azerhen Sethmielr’s diary. Had she not joined and helped Edward’s research, Edward might have never gotten past the 54%.
Although Edward is an avid reader, his habits led him to never read anything unrelated to whatever subject he was researching. A fact that had not changed since he first read an old book from his grandmother, which he used to carry it with him everywhere. This became one of his most distinctive, yet humiliating, traits at school, which earned him the nickname of book boy.
Meanwhile, oblivious to what was happening inside the library, a person sat cheerfully, yet seemingly defeated, under a tree; this person was Edward. Treating himself after a hard day’s work, Edward was enjoying a freshly barbecued wolf kebab and an ice cold black beer from a nearby vendor.
‘Perhaps I should log off.’ He thought, tired from the long hours spent in the library; unaware of Artanis’s discoveries. Giving the mug and barbecue skewers back to the food vendor, he headed towards to library to apologize and express his gratitude to Artanis for all her help.
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