As Mav stepped through the grand silver gate, he was met with the serene silence of the library. The expansive hall opened before him, filled with towering bookshelves that stretched from floor to ceiling. The scent of aged paper and leather bindings mingled with the faint aroma of polished wood, creating a rich, inviting atmosphere. Natural light filtered through high windows, casting a warm glow over the room.

The library was a marvel of architecture, its space divided into multiple levels. Balconies lined the upper floors, each overlooking the central hall below. Wooden staircases wound their way up to the higher tiers, where more shelves awaited, brimming with books and scrolls.

Wooden tables were scattered throughout the vast floor, their surfaces covered with open books and scrolls. A few individuals sat at these tables, deeply engrossed in their reading, while others moved about, carrying stacks of books with an air of quiet purpose. They were dressed in elegant, well-tailored clothing—richly embroidered robes and luxurious fabrics that spoke of wealth and status. Mav, in his worn brown coat, felt distinctly out of place amidst their refined attire.

He scanned the room and eventually spotted a young woman standing behind the reception desk. Her silky blue hair cascaded down her back, catching the light with an ethereal sheen. The description Organos had given him came to mind, and Mav knew she was the one he needed to speak with.

Taking a deep breath, he made his way across the library floor, weaving between the clusters of well-dressed scholars and the occasional open book left on a table. As he approached the reception desk, he adjusted his coat, hoping to blend in. The blue-haired woman looked up from the book she was reading, meeting his gaze with a mix of curiosity and professionalism.

"Hi, are you Mina?" Mav asked.

"That’s me," Mina replied with a smile. "How can I help you today?"

"I’d like to apply for a library card," Mav said.

Mina’s expression turned serious. "We only issue library cards through recommendations. Do you have one?"

Mav pulled out the letter from his pocket and handed it to her. "Here."

Mina examined the letter, her eyes scanning the elegant script. After a moment, she looked up, surprised. "A recommendation from Father Organos? You must be someone special."

"Not really," Mav said, scratching his head awkwardly.

"Well, since it’s from him, I’ll make this a priority. First, can you tell me your name and where you’re from?" Mina asked.

"I’m Mav Rose, from Oraios Village," he replied.

Mina wrote down his information on a small piece of paper and handed it to a young man with the same blue hair at a desk in the back. He was busy with something but looked up at her request.

Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

"Grafon, can you make this a top priority?" Mina asked.

"Sure thing, sis" Grafon replied, setting aside his work.

"This will only take about fifteen minutes," Mina said, turning back to Mav.

"Alright. Can I browse your books while I wait?" Mav asked.

"My books? That sounds nice," Mina said with a cheeky smile. "I don’t actually own any of them, but I’ve read almost all of them, some multiple times," she added.

Mav was taken aback. The library had thousands of books—how could she have read that much, especially considering her youth?

Noticing Mav’s surprise, Mina continued, "It’s fine if you don’t believe me. People often react the same way. Usually, it takes days for someone to finish a book, but I can get through up to five in a day if I’m not busy," she said with pride.

"That’s impressive," Mav said, genuinely amazed.

"Thanks," Mina replied with a smile. "People usually find it odd when I say that, but I just love books. They’re like adventures waiting to be explored."

"Have you ever tried writing?" Mav asked. "Given how much you’ve read, I bet you could create something amazing."

Mina hesitated, looking down and fiddling with her hair. "Well… I haven’t told anyone this, but I’m working on my own novel. I’ve been revising it for years and still haven’t been satisfied."

"I’d be happy to give you feedback if you want," Mav offered, smiling.

"I don’t really want to show it to anyone yet since it’s still very rough," Mina said.

"I don’t mind. Feedback can help," Mav encouraged.

Mina hesitated, her discomfort evident. "I know, but…"

Noticing her unease, Mav added, "You don’t have to show it if you’re not ready. I’m just genuinely interested."

Mina's cheeks flushed as she fidgeted with a strand of her blue hair, her gaze meeting his with a mix of vulnerability and appreciation. "If you insist… But not right now. I’d like to revise it a bit more before sharing it. Maybe in a week or two," she said, her blush deepening.

"Sure, that’s not a problem," Mav agreed warmly.

Just then, Grafon, who had been quietly observing from his desk, called out with a teasing grin, "Look at you, sis, all shy and flustered. I didn’t know you were so sensitive about your writing."

Mina shot him an exasperated glance, her blush intensifying. She waved him off with a dismissive gesture. "Oh, hush, Grafon. You’re no help."

Grafon chuckled and turned back to his work, clearly enjoying the moment.

"Anyway, you wanted to browse my books, right?" Mina said with a light chuckle, trying to shift the topic. "What kind of books are you looking for?"

"Something about different types of Daimoniki," Mav said, placing a hand on his chin.

"Which types?" Mina asked.

"Maybe the weakest ones—something for beginners?" Mav elaborated.

Mina thought for a moment and then said, "I see. Follow me."

She led Mav through the labyrinth of bookshelves. As he moved through the library, he took in the grandeur of the surroundings. The sight of the endless rows of books and the quiet, scholarly ambiance filled him with a sense of awe and calm. He felt a mixture of excitement and apprehension as he wondered what new knowledge awaited him in this vast repository of information. After they reached a specific aisle, Mina stopped and turned to Mav.

"You can find books about the Daimoniki here," Mina said, pointing to a row of neatly arranged volumes.