Dante walked through a long corridor. The walls of the corridor had been decorated with beautiful, elaborate carvings while stained glass windows lined the walls of the corridor at regular intervals. Through the windows, Dante could see a magnificent garden that had been beautifully decorated with statues and had all kinds of attractive looking flowers.

"State your business here, Guild Overseer."

Dante had reached the end of the corridor where his path was blocked by two guards.

"I have been summoned by the King," He reached into his pocket and pulled out a letter. "Here is the proof."

He passed the letter to one of the guards who began inspecting the letter. After a while, the guard nodded and passed the letter back to Dante.

"His clear." The guard said.

The two guards opened the giant overarching door they had been guarding and allowed Dante to enter. Dante stepped past the two guards and began walking into the throne room. The throne room was giant and just as long as the corridor before it. The walls were lined with banners and windows while the floor was covered with expensive blue carpeting. At the end of the throne room, Dante could see a man sitting upon a throne with a lady standing beside him, Infront of them was a well dressed man kneeling.

Dante recognized the man sitting on the throne as the current king of Astorden, Artus. The lady beside him was his daughter.

The king glanced up and saw Dante approaching. "That is enough Duke Hugo. I have another visitor to attend to."

The duke turned around and saw Dante walking over to the front of the throne. "I understand my king," The man stood up, bowed and turned to leave.

Dante walked to the front of the throne and knelt. "I am here at your summon, my king."

"I assume you've heard the news, Guild overseer?" The king asked. "Surely, you've heard of the crystal's disappearance?"

"Naturally, my king." Dante replied in his low horse voice.

"I expected nothing less," King Artus responded. "If that's the case, what actions is the guild going to take in response to this."

"Forgive me for my bluntness but we don't intend to take any actions, my king."

"Pardon? The guild doesn't intend to take any actions? Did I hear that correctly?"

"Yes, my king." Dante responded. "The guild feels that no action is required."

The king sighed and leaned back on his throne. It was clear to Dante that the king had been expecting a different answer. "What a surprising answer from the guild. Does the guild really feel that nothing is going to happen with the disappearance of the crystal? Despite the fact that the crystal has been the main reason why this kingdom has been in war for the past year. Is the guild truly not concerned with how the crystals disappearance may affect this war?"

"My king, might I remind you again that the guild is not allowed to assist or engage in wars between kingdoms. The guild has a neutral stance among all kingdoms and thus are not legally obligated to assist in times of warfare. We are allowed to assist in matters relating to monsters however."

This was the fact of the matter. Despite the guild being a large agency, the guild was not bound to any single kingdom and was instead a independent agency, they did not have to concern themselves with any problems that concerned the kingdom or the state. Conversely, The state did not have to concern itself with the guilds problems as well. The only concern between the guild and the state was in the form of taxes.

That was how the guild operated in most cities. Not only in the kingdom of Astorden. The guild was an agency that acted outside of the control of any state. Ironically, because of this, the guild is more organized than most government bodies and able to carry out their plans without the need for the state's knowledge or approval.

"It is the duty of the state and the army to fight wars and protect their people." Dante continued. "Similarly, it is the duty of the guild to protect the well-being and lives of the adventurers that work for the guild."

"Enough!"

Dante lowered his head, he wasn't sure whether he had struck a nerve or not.

The daughter, who had been silently watching, walked over to the king.

"Calm down father."

The king took a deep breath.

"So the guild's stance on this war is neutrality? Am I correct."

"Yes my king." Dante replied while still bowing his head. "Should the guild in Astorden provide assistance to the war effort, the guild in the other country would also be obliged to assist in their war effort."

The king sat in silence for a while before finally speaking.

"Very well, you may leave."

Dante stood up and bowed. "Thank you, my king."

He then turned around and started walking towards the exit.

Outside the throne room, Dante saw duke Hugo standing beside a window in the corridor. The duke looked over and saw Dante walking by him.

"One moment please, Guild Overseer."

Dante stopped in his tracks. "How may I help you, my duke"

"May I have a moment to talk with you, in private."

"Very well."

Dante followed Duke Hugo out of the castle and into his mansion. The mansion was one of the bigger mansions in Astorden, then again, it was due to the fact that Duke Hugo was one of the more influential people in this kingdom.

Once they were inside, the duke led Dante into his private chambers.

"I assume the king summoned you to talk about the war?"

"Yes, sir."

The duke sighed and walked over to his table and sat down.

"How many mercenaries can the guild provide us?"

Dante sighed inwardly.

"Duke Hugo, I hope we are in agreement the the guild is not a convenient free army. The guild is not obliged to take part in wars between kingdoms."

"I understand that," Duke Hugo said while shuffling around some papers on his desk, "I was referring to monster attacks. I believe you know of the other consequences of the crystals disappearance? "

Dante raised his eyebrows slightly. While it was true that the guild would not assist kingdoms in times of war, the same could not be said for monster attacks. And it was true that the crystal had been the main magic source for that forest and the monsters in it, thus the sudden disappearance of the crystal may agitate some of the monsters in the forest.

"The agreement with the state states that the guild will aid the state in terms of monster attacks with 15 percent of our members. Anything more will require compensation from the state where costs may vary depending on certain factors."

The duke sighed.

"Duke Hugo, may I ask a question."

Duke Hugo looked up from his desk. He looked exhausted, as if he had aged 20 years in one moment.

"What is it?"

"How is the current situation with the war."

"Isn't it obvious Dante?"

Dante raised his eyebrows slightly. It was rare for anyone to call him by his name and not his title.

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"The Sovereign has decided to call the whole of Astorden's army to war. Naturally, as you saw, the king is fully supporting the Sovereign's decision and trying to get more forces for their army. Because of this, there are not enough soldiers left to protect the kingdom from potential monster attacks."

Hugo sighed.

"I've already tried talking to the king to convince the sovereign to leave some men behind in case of an attack, but they don't seem to be listening."

Dante stood in silence. He had known Hugo for a long time and was one of the few nobles that genuinely cared about the people and the kingdom.

"Very well," Dante said eventually, "I shall conduct my own search into the effects of the crystal's disappearance."

"I would greatly appreciate that."

With that, Dante turned around and left the duke's mansion. There was much to be done.

............

I woke up to find myself slumped over on the cold, hard floor.

How long have I been unconscious? Again? This is the second time I've been rendered unconscious by a crystal. Which isn't a lot but its weird that it happened twice. Actually it's weird it even happened once.

I stood up and checked the table where the crystal of knowledge had been floating above. The table was now layered with a thick layer of ice. The crystal was no where to be seen.

So I guess I absorbed it? How did the crystal put it again... Integrated? So did I integrate it?

I checked the arm I had used to grab the crystal. Before I passed out, I remember seeing stripes on my arm, almost like an infection. But there was nothing on my arm. It felt a little cold but other than that, it felt normal.

"Uh, anyone there?" I said to the empty room.

Suddenly, a voice ran across my mind.

Huh? Wh-What? Calibrating?

That voice sounded like it was coming from inside my head? The voice sounded like the voice from the crystal of knowledge too. So that was the crystals voice?

EH? I've been unconscious for 2 days?

"2 days?" I said weakly.

I sat down at a nearby chair.

"How long was I unconscious when I first appeared in this room?"

So precise.

"Also, are you going to be a voice in my head only?"

Well this was not expected. I don't know what I expected, but I don't see how the crystal is gonna be able to help much as just a voice in my head. I was hoping more for like a physical guide through this stronghold. Considering I have no idea how to use magic-

<…Noted. I will make the necessary improvements.>

"Eh? Did you say something?"

Hmm, probably just the crystal doing it's own thing.

I stood up and walked over to the giant door buried in ice. The door which was double my size was completely covered in ice. The ice was at least a few meters thick as well and seemed impossible to break without some kind of tool.

"So, uh, how do we get out of this room?"

…And how exactly do I use that skill. Wasn't it obvious enough that I had no experience using magic? I have no knowledge on any of this. Maybe I should get information first.

"Ok, firstly, what skills do I have?"

I stood in front of the frozen door processing everything the crystal had just told me.

Grandmaster-class skill? Analysis? Ameliorate? What? Too much information. Also, aren't these skills kind of overpowered? Complete control over ice? Reconstruct any object that is superior to the original? This sounds like it should belong in a book or a game.

Additional skills? But why would I have any other skills besides the crystal of knowledge? Also, I still have no idea how to use skills. It's safe to say that at this point, I'm in another world with magic. Considering the world I came from didn't have any magic, why would I know how to use magic or skills or whatever.

"How do I use skills? Exactly?"

"So it would be a lot harder if I didn't have the skill [Dual Function]?"

Battle? Like fighting? Well I have no plans to fight anyone so it'll probably be fine. But being able to cast skills by just thinking about it compared to having to concentrate seems useful.

"So I can cast skills immediately with the skill?"

"And do a lot of skills have a casting time?"

EH? Then isn't this skill kind of overpowered? That basically means I have max proficiency without any practice or training. Heck, I still have even used magic at all.

I looked over at the giant wall of ice in front of me and raised my hand.

Uhm... crumble?

The thick ice immediately began to form cracks along the surface which began to spread. The ice, now unable to carry it's own weight, began crumbling and falling to the floor.

I instinctively took a couple of steps back to avoid being hit by a falling ice chunk.

After a while, the ice settled and the door which had previously been frozen was now accessible.

"...Did I do that?"

…

I stood frozen in shock looking what used to be a door covered in thick ice, now exposed by my own thought and magic.

I was jolted out of my shock by these words. I turned around and scanned over all the weapons on the tables. There was a wide assortment of weapons scattered around the room on different tables. I could see all kinds of swords, spears and other weapons I had no idea the names of.

"Why do I need a weapon? Aren't we in a stronghold?"

Monsters? Actually, why am I surprised. This is a world with magic, I should have expected there to be monsters. Also, didn't the crystal mention angels and demons before? Yeah, I shouldn't be surprised by anything anymore.

I walked over to a nearby table and picked up the spear that was lying on it. There wasn't anything fancy about the spear, the shaft seemed to be made out of a light metal while the tip was a sharp white edge.

I walked over to a relatively open area and swung the spear a few times as a test.

Hmm. Granted, I know next to nothing about combat with these weapons but this spear feels nice to use I guess? It's not too heavy or too light for me.

I tried jabbing the air with the spear.

Also has some nice range for a melee weapon. I could throw it too I guess.

"Alright, I'm taking the spear."

Hmm. I don't see why not I guess. Plus, I kind of wanna see what the skill can do. To gain information about anything just like that seems ridiculously good. It's like having my own personal, convenient internet.

I held out the spear.

Analyze the spear.

Immediately, information about the the length of the spear, the weight ratio of the top and the shaft of the spear, what materials the spear was made of and other information appeared in my head. I stood there dazed for a while before my brain finished processing the information and I could think again. I could feel a headache coming on.

Okay. Maybe that skill isn't as overpowered as I thought, well it is overpowered. But considering how it just gives me all the information at once, could be better.

Oh ya. I forgot about [Archive]. If I remember correctly, it allows me to record and document infor- Wait.

I suddenly felt like an idiot. I could have been using both skills together...

I walked over to another table which had a giant great sword lying on it. I tried picking it up but it was too heavy for me to lift.

Yeah, there's no way I can use this sword. Analyze and archive.

A flood of information appeared in my head, but just as quickly disappeared. The information was still there, somewhere. I just had to request for it and it would appear in my head.

These skills synergize well with each other... I mean they are sub-skills in the skill [Crystal of Knowledge]. By the way, didn't the crystal call the skill grandmaster class? Wonder what that means.

"What did you mean when you said grandmaster class skill [Crystal of knowledge]?" I asked while walking over to another nearby table to analyze the weapon. "Are there different classes of skills or something? Like how good the skill is?"

So your telling me I already have a skill that's the second highest on the tier list? No wonder these skills are overpowered...

"So if [Crystal of Knowledge] is a grandmaster class skill, what about all the skills in it?"

"What about novice, expert and sovereign class?"

Hmm. So while master class and grandmaster class are just combining a bunch of skills to make a singular skill with all previous skill effects. Novice, expert and sovereign are basically upgrades from the previous class.

I walked over to the last table and analyzed the last weapon.

With all this information on weapons stored in the archive, I could write a books worth of- Wait. Books.

I picked up a nearby book and flipped to a random page.

I still couldn't understand the language in the book but maybe if I analyzed it, I would be able to understand it's contents?

Analyze and-

Ah. I didn't use archive... I can't hear the crystal anymore.

Symbols and runes danced in front of my eyes while my brain attempted to process a whole books worth of information within a second.

After a moment, my brain stopped working and I blacked out.