The trip to the library was a long, quiet one. Uchronia was too busy looking over her notebook, thinking about what kind of support role she wanted to take, and Gus was preoccupied with his never-ending supply of food, leaving behind a trail of crumbs. Seriously, where was the guy storing all those muffins?

Finally, the trio arrived at the entrance of the library. Alwin was expecting some grandiose, breathtaking entrance that would rival the massive double doors that served as the front entrance to the academy. Instead, it was just a door. A plain, brown wooden door, blending in with the countless others they had passed in the academy's monotonous hallways. The sole distinction was a modest sign above it, with 'Library' carved into the wood, as if it were an afterthought rather than the portal to a world of knowledge.

Something told Alwin that the library was anything but impressive. Their entire collection would probably just consist of a couple of books lying in a sad heap on the floor. Maybe coming to the library was a mistake. At least it wasn't going to be a mistake he made, it would be Uchronia's mistake, and that made Alwin feel better.

Without missing a beat, Uchronia pushed the door open and hopped in. Gus followed behind, and Alwin lingered for a moment, scanning the hallway. As usual, it was a monotonous expanse of identical doors and dull walls. Oh well, might as well just join the others and wait for Uchronia to realize this was a mistake.

When Alwin stepped into the library it felt like he stepped into a different dimension. The interior of the library was huge, to say the least. That drab unassuming wooden door had somehow led to this towering glass and marble structure. The walls of the circular room rose upwards, stretching as far as Alwin could see. Shelves overflowing with books, scrolls, and tomes lined every inch of the room. At the center, a massive spiral staircase spiraled up through multiple floors, each lined with even more shelves. Alwin's jaw dropped as he tried to count the levels—second, third, fourth, fifth—how many floors did this place have?

Other monsters walked about, browsing the countless shelves. Most of them, however, were absorbed in whatever books they had in their paws, claws, wings, hands, and tentacles. Some sat at desks and tables, engrossed in their studies, while others lounged on the ground, lost in the pages of their books. Occasionally, a shout or a grunt of frustration echoed through the room, but surprisingly, no one seemed to mind.

"Whoa," Alwin, gasped as he looked around, trying to absorb it all.

He was completely wrong and the library wasn't disappointing in the slightest. It was magical, mesmerizing, magnificent, and a million other synonyms for amazing.

"Ok, here's the plan. I am going to go find some support skills. Alwin, I want you to go find some offensive skills to learn, and Gus I want you to find some defensive skills. I've allotted one whole afternoon for us to search for skills, and we're going to make full use of every single moment. Understood?" asked Uchronia.

"Okie dokie," replied Gus.

Alwin gave a quick nod before the three of them split off in separate directions.

Offensive skills, offensive skills, now where could they be? He glanced up at the towering spiral staircase. Upper floors usually meant better, right? Since offense was the best, it'd make sense that they'd be located on the upper floors.

With such flawless logic by his side, Alwin approached the base of the winding staircase. The path spiraled upward, disappearing into the heights of the library, and the endless climb made his stomach churn. However, the sight of the stairs themselves made Alwin wonder how much did this library cost. Each step was made with polished white marble inlaid with swirling gold and blue patterns.

With a burst of enthusiasm, Alwin leaped onto the staircase—and immediately smacked face-first into an invisible wall. A translucent, golden field of energy shimmered into view where he collided. It flickered and sparked, teasing the idea of vanishing, but then held firm, pulsing with a steady, magical hum.

[Your library pass tier does not grant access to the next level. For any enquiries please contact the library attendant.]

Library pass? Tier levels? What sort of library was this? Alwin looked around the library, eyes darting about as he searched for the library attendant. All he found were monsters of various shapes, sizes, and colors, sitting or standing in place, absorbed in whatever book or scroll they had in hand.

Attendant, attendant, now where could they be? Alwin had no other choice but to scour the library in hopes of finding the elusive library attendant. He darted between towering bookshelves, leaping past each and every monster that roamed the aisles. No luck. He pressed on, weaving through labyrinthine corridors, his eyes scanning every nook and cranny. Minutes ticked by, and still, his search remained fruitless. Nothing.

Frustrated, Alwin plopped down on the ground. He couldn't waste any more time searching for the library attendant. He was here to find offensive skills, not to play hide and seek. With a sigh, he picked himself up, he couldn't give up just yet. He needed the library attendant to help him find some offensive skills.

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Alwin traversed the maze of aisles one more time. He turned corners, dashed past other monsters, and vaulted over the occasional fallen shelf. His hasty pace slowed and slowed until he came to a full stop. Something had caught his eye. There, nestled among the countless volumes, was the spine of a burgundy book. The words were sideways relative to Alwin, making it difficult to read. Without hesitation he flipped his body to the side, lying sideways on the floor. Alwin could finally make out the words etched into the spine: "Spirit Feet."

Alwin's eyes widened as he stared at the book. He blinked a few times, struggling to believe what he was seeing. Was he dreaming? Was this some sort of joke? The title "Spirit Feet" shimmered back at him, undeniably real. He had merely joked about the idea earlier, never expecting it to actually exist. Yet, here it was, right before his eyes, within reach.

Well, since he was already here, it wouldn't hurt to take a little peek into the book. Besides, it'd be rude not to, the book was practically begging Alwin to pick it up and read it.

"Spirit Hands!" Alwin shouted out, and a pair of hands materialized right next to him.

As he willed them forward, fingers ready to grasp the edge of the book, he felt a chill run down his back. It felt like a dozen eyes were boring into him. His spectral appendages crept closer, but the sensation of being watched grew stronger. Something was afoot. Alwin turned around and found the gazes of several other monsters fixated on him. He must've been louder than he thought.

Alwin waved a hand in apology, and the group of monsters just shook their heads and went on with their business.

Back to the task at hand, Alwin turned to his Spirit Hands. The ghostly appendages drifted forward and wrapped themselves around the book's spine. With a gentle tug, they pulled it free from the shelf. It was certainly a lot thinner than Alwin expected, and a lot more worn. Alwin held the book up, turning it this way and that, examining every inch with keen interest.

His spectral fingers grasped the cover of the book. A couple of tears and spots of dust and grime marred its surface. But that didn't matter. What mattered was the knowledge hidden inside. Alwin's mouth twisted into a grin as his spectral fingers dug underneath the front cover. This was it. His pulse quickened as he prepared to uncover the secrets of "Spirit Feet," the grin on his face growing wider with every heartbeat.

The moment he flipped open the book, a strange sensation washed over him. It felt as if he was being pulled into the very pages. His surroundings disappeared in a flash, and Alwin found himself in a white empty void. His heart pounded as he glanced around, disoriented. Where was he? Across from him floated a book, seemingly suspended in mid-air. It looked like a pristine version of the 'Spirit Feet' book.

"I am the avatar of the 'Spirit Feet' book," a voice echoed from the floating tome. "Prove your worth. Defeat me, and you shall earn the right to learn the ways of the Spirit Feet."

A fight? Now? Against a book, of all things? This library adventure was way more fun than Alwin had expected. Gone was the snooze fest of a journey to the library. Now, it was all action and adrenaline. Alwin liked the sound of that.

"Spirit Feet," the book cried out as a pair of ghostly, white feet manifested right before Alwin's eyes.

The Spirit Feet floated above the book, the spectral toes wiggling and wriggling as they hovered there. Feet or hands, which was the superior appendage? Time to settle it once and for all.

Alwin charged forward, summoning his Spirit Hands to his side. In response, the pair of Spirit Feet hovered towards Alwin, prepared to intercept him. As the distance between them shrunk, the feet began to kick wildly, sending a volley of kicks hurdling his way. Alwin raised his Spirit Hands to shield his face and continued his advance, hopping closer to the book's avatar. Each kick pounded relentlessly against the palms of his Spirit Hands, each impact threatening to wrest control of the skill from him. Alwin gritted his teeth, willing his Spirit Hands to stay on target. Just a few more hops.

At last, he was close enough to attack. The barrage of kicks continued, but his Spirit Hands remained steadfast, deflecting each blow. Darkness seeped out from within him, coating his body in a layer of shadows. The more the darkness enveloped him, the harder it became for his Spirit Hands to maintain their form. They trembled, struggling to stay upright as if their strength was being siphoned away.

"Dark Tackle!" Alwin roared.

He had lost all control over his Spirit Hands; they dissipated in a wisp of spectral energy. Cloaked in shadows, Alwin rocketed forward, barreling through the still-kicking Spirit Feet. The force of his charge shattered the spectral appendages into nothingness. Alwin tumbled onward, skidding to a halt right before the Spirit Feet book. As he came to a stop, the black aura coating Alwin's body faded into the air.

"Good show, boy. Now finish me off and earn the right to learn ‘Spirit Feet’," said the book.

"My pleasure," said Alwin.

Without hesitation, Alwin activated Dark Tackle once again, launching himself right into the middle of the book's cover. A deafening tearing sound echoed as he struck, splitting the book open at the point of impact. The front and back covers flew off, revealing pages after pages of content. In another flash, Alwin found himself back in the library.

He twisted and turned his body around, glancing from left to right. Was he finally back in the library or was this another trial orchestrated by the book's avatar? It seemed like it was the former, judging by the stares he was getting from the other library-goers.

Alwin glanced down at the ground where the pages of the book lay sprawled out, its innards splayed for him to see. Page after page was filled with the intricacies of the Spirit Feet skill. Diagrams depicted the various forms the spectral extremities could take, descriptions outlined the different applications, and there was even a concise guide on how to activate the skill. His heart raced with excitement. The knowledge was right there, ready to be absorbed. He couldn't wait to practice and master this skill.

"What are you doing?" a hushed cry cut in.