Flipping it to the first page, I read the table of contents ‘...Chapter three: How peaceful humanoid creatures deceive us.’ Flipping to the chapter with no real thought, I start reading.
‘...Some humanoid creatures will try to integrate into small villages and towns, with some towns even accepting them although they are fully aware of the fact the species trying to integrate is none human. While this isn’t the case with beastmen and demi humans, as they are considered humanoid creatures with similar enough properties to be accepted, similar to dwarves, halflings, elves, and other similar beings…’
Continuing through the chapter, I miss the fact that someone had walked over to me and was reading over my shoulder. Only for a moment though.
Looking up from the book and straight at the shelf in front of me, I don't even need to turn around to sense that someone was right beside me.
“Can I help you?” I ask. Turning to face the person who seemed it was a good idea to shoulder read.
“Ah, I’m sorry, I wanted to ask if you could help me move something but I noticed that you were deeply engrossed in that book so I thought that I’d try to see what book it was before…”
Placing my hand on the shoulder of the woman who didn’t seem to know what taking a moment to breathe meant, I look her in the eyes and realised that it was the woman who I had met in the fitting room the other day who asked if I liked books.
“Slow down first of all. And second, maybe step down from the stool you’re on, though it is slightly amusing.” I say. Watching her go beet red for a moment before hoping down from the stool and picking it up.
Resisting the urge to give a laugh at the girls antics, I wait for her to collect herself enough to properly ask what she needed help with.
“I’m sorry.” She says, slouching slightly, “Could you help me move a shelf? I can’t do it by myself…”
Not really having anything else to do, I place the book back and follow the girl to the shelf she needed help moving. Coming to an open area in the central part of the library, I see a decent sized shelf with no books on it.
Confirming with the girl that it was the right shelf, and where to put it, I haul it over without much difficulty. Partially thanks to my increased strength from my stats, and partially thanks to the girl using magic.
Curious as to how the girl was helping with moving the shelf, I tried to figure it out. Wondering if it was the gravity magic that Lady Arwin had mentioned before, I didn’t entirely pass up the idea that it was something to do with air though.
Noticing my interest, the girl indulged my curiosity and explained “I used high pressure air currents to move certain points of the shelf so as to make it so it didn’t fall over.”
Fascinated by the simplicity, I ask, “Is there any weight limit? Or does the amount of control stem from comprehending and executing that knowledge into semi-physical nature?”
“Wind and air magic is fairly simple in its control, but due to it being an invisible force it is considered a medium tier difficulty to learn. And while the amount of mana affects the force that is produced, manipulation is the key component to being able to do what I did. This goes for all mages.”
Soaking in what she said like a sponge, I start to wonder hpw certain affinities can and will mold my progression into… What actually is my end goal? Putting it aside to dwell on later, I chat with the girl a bit more about wind magic and what it can do.
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“My apologies, but I realise I haven’t asked you for your name.” I say, feeling a smidge of shame for being discourteous.
“Nadia Zamor. And yours?”
“Erja, no surname.” Having exchanged pleasantries, we chatted a bit more about books before we parted ways
Quickly skimming through the book section I was in before, I find the book I was reading and grab it. Intending to read it as a past time seeing as it was quite hefty. Not really knowing what to do, I start to walk back to the garden area where I read Norsin’s note.
Arriving at the garden, I see a few people walking around and enjoying the greenery. Watching them and trying to think of an end goal, I come to the realisation that I don’t have any other clothes besides what I was given at the start.
Thinking that it would probably be a good idea to get another pair or two, as well as a dress suit for when we were to meet the king, I get up and start moving to the most prestigious tailor I know. Also known as the only tailor I know about.
Briskly walking to the building where I was first fitted, I enter and look around for a desk area where I could order a set of clothes. Seeing one with a man in a clean yet casual suit looking over a pattern, I approach it intending to ask what I should do to get the clothes I needed.
“Excuse me. Do you mind telling me if I could get a few sets of clothes?” I ask the man, giving him his time to finish what he was doing before answering.
“Sorry for that. Yes I can, is there anything in particular you need?” He responds after a moment. Quickly running through clothing options, I decide to go with another set of what I was already wearing, a more casual set I could use if and when I go out, as well as the dress suit.
“Of course! That’s simple. Follow me, I shall show you to a fitting room where we can go over what it is you need.” Following the man into a similar area that I was in the first time, with only a slightly different layout, the man picks up a few measuring tapes before walking back to me.
“So, you need a casual day wear, another of what you have now, and a suit. Correct?”
“That is correct, yes. Though I would like the suit to be something a bit more unique.” I begin to describe what it was I wanted and a few more practical changes I’d like to be made.
“Just to confirm the suit.” The tailor, who I learned is named Morice, says while writing down on a piece of paper. “You would like dusty black closely sewn pants, a crimson maroon colour shirt with a vest with minor embellishments that match the pants, and a dark grey knee length coat that has a thick fur collar that can be draped over the shoulders. I like this style a lot! Not many people can pull it off, I think this will go very well.”
Feeling proud of my idea of what good fashion is that I had developed over my life, I look forward to it being brought to fruition and being able to wear something more than just work clothes.
“The suit itself will be done by late tomorrow. As for the rest of the clothes, I will have them brought up to you in a few hours.” Morice finishes off.
“I have a question if you don’t mind, I'm not sure why I missed it at the start honestly. But is there anything you would like me to do to pay off the clothes?” I ask, fearing that it would have to be postponed because I didn’t have any money from this world, let alone any at this point.
“Hah! I forgot for a moment that you are an otherworlder. Long story short, nope. You are at the level of a lower royale family member, if not high branch family, meaning you don’t have to do anything for the clothes.”
Clocking my level in the overall scheme of the kingdom, it hits me like a truck that I asked a stupid question. Not really caring about my blunder, as it’s better to look stupid while being prepared then look prepared and be stupid, I let my moment of dumbness pass and continue to go over the details of what the clothes.
Going back and forth to smooth over all the details, a couple of hours pass without us noticing. “Do you mind if I take some liberties with the materials so I can make it more accommodating?” Morice questions.
“Not at all. I’m not a tailor so I don’t know what would be a good idea or not. You, on the other hand, are. So I trust your judgement.” I respond.
“Alright then, I’ll have the clothes brought to you by tonight. Have a good day.”
Leaving the building, I go back to my room to organise my thoughts and lay out a proper plan of action. Intending to prepare for the next week and then let the time it takes to study take its course.
Reaching my room, I turn on the light and pull the chair over to the window. Sighting down and looking out over the early evening sun, I start to set out how I will proceed going forward.