On the marbled steps of the royal academy library sat a man, plain in look and wear, sporting a brown bowler hat and obnoxiously round spectacles. His eyes were glued to a palm-sized book that rested on his lap. Occasionally, he would remember to stoke the ember in his pipe and take a few puffs, releasing grey smoke that resembled the overcast sky above.

“How fascinating,” thought Ren, his hazel eyes glistening as he pondered the book’s biographical accounts of giant squids and megalodons at sea. These tales were likely exaggerated and incorporated elements of the fantastical to better deprive gullible customers of their coins.

Knowing such didn’t stop Ren from enjoying the content. So engrossed was Ren, he barely registered the ringing of bells in the distance that harkened the end of classes and the inevitable throng of students that would soon arrive for independent study time. Ren perked up to the growing sound of shuffling feet and incessant chatter as groups of teenagers dressed in long cloaks scaled the steps. Most of them paid no particular attention to Ren, subtly acknowledging his presence by stepping around him.

From an onlooker’s perspective, it would seem as if Ren was a permanent fixture that parted the horde of students going into the library, not unlike the way a stone parts the flow of water. Ironically, this metaphor wasn’t far from the truth. After all, Ren was the embodiment of an absolute being, unbending to laws of the multiverse, unaffected by the vice-like grip of time, and unyielding even to will of Lady Fate. Everyone else were transient beings, fragile like chaff in the wind. Of course, those who passed by didn’t know Ren’s real identity, but subconsciously they felt the latent pressure of a superior existence.

The students, in their early teens to late teens, inexplicably felt the need to avert their eyes when they neared Ren. On the other hand, the adults, mainly professors and auxiliary staff who were visiting the library after teaching hours, were more confrontational. Whether it was due to misplaced confidence that comes with age or arrogance as fully-fledged magicians, many of the adults stared at Ren as they passed with looks ranging from curiosity to contempt, but mostly the latter.

Approaching the library, in particular, was a pair of professors, one handsomely tall with a nicely trimmed beard and the other noticeably less attractive and shorter, having a rotund stature. The shorter of the two men held an ivory cane crowned with a small statue of a golden eagle. The cane functioned as a walking stick for the plump professor, who moved with a distinguishable gait.

Ren groaned inwardly upon seeing Professor Falter, the head of the offensive magics department. Among students he had been given a more derogatory nickname as “Professor Fathead” for his lateral growth and his condescending attitude towards anyone he considered below him. Ren and Professor Fathead had fairly unpleasant interactions in the past. It seemed from the get-go, the man took a perverted pleasure in making Ren’s life as difficult as possible.

A small smile briefly flitted across the plump professor’s face. It was undetectable to a stranger but not to Professor Falter’s lifelong friend and colleague, Professor Noxus, the undisputedly more handsome of the two.

“Boris, I’m not sure what’s there to be happy about? The dean just assigned us a last minute research project that he wants delivered in two days. He’s obviously targeting us. Fuck that asshole,” Noxus complained.

“There’s always a silver lining, Matthias, even in the worst of situations, as long as you know where to look. Now see that new librarian sitting on the steps? I’m very curious as to why Dean Vendel hired trash like him,” Falter responded, a savage glare in his eyes.

Noxus glanced at where his friend was referencing, and sure enough, sitting on steps of the royal academy library was the recently hired librarian who had all the faculty up in arms. Since the academy’s founding two hundred years ago, never had a mundane entered the ranks of its faculty and staff until now.

“Uhh, yes, though I don’t see how that helps our situation? What’s he got to do with our assignment?,” asked Noxus, feeling slightly confused by the non-sequitur in the conversation.

“Nothing. I was merely referring to the long game we must play, my friend. Dean Vendel may be a shrewd man, but his latest hiring decision has exposed him to significant criticism. I’m personally intimate with several board members who disapprove of Vendel’s sympathetic attitude towards the mundane. If we play our cards well, perhaps it won’t be long before he gets replaced. Wouldn’t that be the ultimate revenge?” snickered Falter.

Boris’ craftiness came of no surprise to Noxus. Having known the man since childhood, Noxus was quite aware that his friend harbored big ambitions. Ever since Boris became the head of the offensive magics department, Boris had set his eyes on the next big prize, the deanship, and Noxus had no doubt he would succeed. Maybe someday Boris will even snatch the headmaster’s role.

After observing the professors from afar, Ren had the sinking feeling that he was the subject of their dialogue. He pocketed his book, sipped the pipe one last time, and glanced at his pocket watch.

“Half past four. The fated hour nears,” muttered Ren. “Looks like it’s going to rain.”

“Assistant Librarian Ren, last I checked, the royal academy isn’t paying you to loiter about it’s premises. Pray tell me why you’re enjoying the comfort of the pipe while on duty?” the plump professor called out.

Ren stood up and bowed to the pair of faculty members.

“Esteemed professors, I’m afraid there’s been a misunderstanding. My shift has not yet started, so I’m simply enjoying the weather while I can,” Ren replied amicably. Outwardly, he was smiling, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. Men such as them were a dime a dozen in high society. They held their noses high wherever they went, taking pride in their magical abilities and treating ordinary folks with contempt.

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Of course, Ren wasn’t terribly impressed with the professors’ meager control of magic. Throughout Ren’s travels in the multiverse, he had encountered many extraordinary beings who could easily delete these arrogant fools: starfleet admirals, lich tyrants, angels, powerful sorceresses, immortal cultivators, divine monsters, celestial kings, and demon lords. Yet, the most memorable of these individuals were not those who could simply destroy planets or manipulate the laws of physics, but rather those who practiced humility and mercy despite having such great power.

“Hmph, I care not for your excuses. I expect all employees of the royal academy, whether on shift or off shift, to act befitting of their prestigious station,” sneered Falter, disapproving of Ren’s tobacco addiction. “Anyways, see to it that you report to me when your shift begins. I have a list of tasks for you to accomplish by this eve.”

Taking Ren’s silence as acknowledgement, the plump professor pompously walked up the stairs and into the library, followed behind by his friend who remained silent throughout the interaction. Ren watched the two disappear from view and sighed and began casually cleaning his lens with the corner of the coat.

“No, Andaleus. Leave them be. I hardly think their affront is worth having their souls destroyed,” Ren responded seemingly to no one. “You should know that I think you’re far too zealous for your own good,” he chuckled.

Ren sat back down and waited, staring at the vast lawns and gardens that claimed the center of campus. The royal academy was a common example of tenth-century architectural fashion, which aimed to surround greenery with buildings. While aesthetically pleasing, the upkeep was probably quite costly for the school. It always puzzled him why humans had this fascination for outward beauty.

Not more than half an hour later, Ren stood up again, this time rather excitedly. In the distance approaching alone was a young girl, less than fifteen years of age with light blonde hair and blue eyes. She wore a black cloak like the other academy students, but looked dispirited. Her shoulders were slumped and her eyes were glued to the ground as she walked slowly on the paved path leading to the library.

The day had started off terribly for Anne. Firstly, she accidentally collided with Daniela, the most popular second-year girl at school, thereby eliciting the wrath of Daniela’s fans. They dragged Anne to a remote part of the school where they strung her upside down and tortured her with hexes. The bullies were clever though and never used spells that left traces. Not soon after, she was harassed by Professor Falter, who recently seemed to take an unhealthy interest in her budding physique. The way he ogled at her sent shivers down her spine.

Worst of all, there wasn’t anything Anne could do about her situation. Unlike most of her affluent classmates, she came from an impoverished family and didn’t have someone influential to protect her. The others could smell that weakness. It was why the other students always bullied her. It was also probably why the professor dared to treat her the way he did. Had he acted out his lecherous thoughts on Daniela, the daughter of West Lord Nigel, he’d likely end up purifying cow manure in the Georgian farmlands for the rest of his life.

It took all of Anne’s willpower to hold back the flood of tears threatening to expose her emotional state. Anne always prided herself as a strong girl, so the gods be damned if she’d show any weakness right now.

Seeing the girl in a stupor, Ren solemnly approached. An umbrella suddenly appeared in his hand, springing open just as the first raindrops fell. Ren didn’t like flaunting his powers, but once in a while he indulged himself in a harmless trick. In the entire multiverse, Ren was the only being who could cast null creation, the power to create matter from nothing.

“Miss, it’s not good for your health to stand in the rain. May I escort you to the library?” asked Ren, jolting Anne out of her stupor.

So focused was she in her own thoughts, she had failed to see the Ren approach or his display of strange magic. Anne looked up and saw bright hazel eyes behind a pair of ugly spectacles. They were a size too big for the man, ruining any prospects of him pulling off a scholar’s look. Generally, she wasn’t fond of sharing an umbrella with a stranger, much less with a man twice her age, but the intensifying rain removed any hesitation. Moreover, there was something about the stranger that attracted her. He looked disarming and safe, to say the least, but Anne would later learn just how wrong first impressions could be.

“Umm, okay,” replied Anne, keeping up with his pace.

When they arrived under the cover of the library, Ren retracted the umbrella.

“Thank you, sir,” Anne said meekly.

“Not a problem, Miss,” nodded Ren. “Let me introduce myself. I’m Ren, the new assistant librarian at the academy,” he said, extending his hand.

“Oh, you’re that mundan... I mean, I’ve heard of you,” Anne blushed in embarrassment. “My full name is Annabeth, but I just go by Anne. I’m a second year student focusing on light refraction magic.”

Anne shook Ren’s hand.

“That’s quite the cutting edge research you’re working on. If I’m not mistaken, it has interesting applications for field mirage spells and double cast illusions in combat situations,” Ren remarked.

Anne’s eyes widened upon hearing his comment. Seeing her reaction, Ren knew what he said piqued the girl’s curiosity.

“You’re not supposed to know that. These research projects dabble in advanced magics. How...?” Anne asked. She looked puzzled and wondered what Ren’s real identity was.

“Haha, just because I’m a mundane doesn’t mean I’m uninformed. I’m not a librarian for no reason young lady.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it that way,” Anne blushed again. “It’s just that even the professors in other focuses are kept in the dark about these classified projects. You know, it’s a sensitive matter due to the temporary truce we have with the Vahrillian Empire.”

“You’re completely right. All the more reason you shouldn’t casually talk about these things with a stranger. How do you know I’m not a Vahrillian spy?” Ren asked, pretending to get all serious.

“I don’t know, are you?” Anne shrugged. “I think the school would’ve done a thorough background check on you before they offered you the job.”

Ren smiled when he heard the response. The girl was quick on her feet, exactly the person he needed.

“Touché.”

Anne began feeling a little uncomfortable chatting with the assistant librarian in front of the library entrance. If the others saw her act all the friendly with the mundane, she’d definitely be the subject of ridicule tomorrow.

“Umm, may I go in, sir?” Anne asked, trying to be polite.

“Oh, yes, of course. I must say it was a delight to meet you, Anne. By the way, other than an assistant librarian, I happen to be the proprietor of a procurement shop. So should you ever need anything, my services will be available.”

He handed Anne a business card and followed the girl into the library. Before he closed the doors, Ren turned around and nodded at the sky. In an instant, the mad downpour stopped and the clouds parted. His work was done. Little did Anne know her destiny was completely altered that day, for better or worse.