--------///----Reina's POV----\\\--------

Mina spent some time downstairs just working with Alice to send the slimes and cores over to her mom, though she was taking a bit so me and Endis just went upstairs to wait for her. When we got up to the room we used earlier, it seemed like no one had taken it so we just went back in and sat on our respective bed. Jelly however had liked jumping up and down the bunk bed we were on so atleast that was entertaining to see.

(Endis) " Well, while we wait what're we going to do? "

(Reina) " Is there anything to really do? Other then going back to Nillio's shop that is. "

(Endis) " Ugh... Do we have to go back to that old man right away? "

(Reina) " ... No? We could visit him tomorrow... I'd be fine with it. "

(Endis) " Yes! Definetly tomorrow. "

(Reina) " But then what do we do for the rest of the day? "

(Endis) " Hmm... Good question... I'd go gambling but i think Mina might kill me if i do... Hmm... Maybe we could take on a quick request. We can kill time and get some more money for the materials my aunt wants."

(Reina) " That could work... But what would count as a "quick request"? "

(Endis) " Well... We do have a slime with us... Why not look for a cleaning job or something? "

(Reina) " But... We just came from a sewer... "

(Endis) " ... "

(Reina) " ... "

(Endis) " I'll just stick to letting Mina handle the ideas... "

(Reina) " Yea... I think that's definetly for the best. "

(Endis) " Hey! You trying to say something there Reina? "

(Reina) " Yea... You're not exactly the best at coming up with serious ideas... "

(Endis) " ... I walked into that... Damn. "

(Mina) " Walked into what? "

Mina came out past the doorframe and sat next to me but avoided the side where Jelly was having her fun.

(Reina) " I just told Endis how he's not the brightest when it comes to serious idea. "

(Endis) " Hey! You worded that way worse then the first time! "

(Reina) " Yup. and i mean it too. "

(Endis) " ... "

Endis looked at me for a bit more then he suddenly switched over to Mina.

(Endis) " You're a bad influence on her. "

(Mina) " I think i'm the best influence. Thank you very much. "

(Endis) " Suuure. "

(Mina) " What's that supposed to mean? "

(Endis) " Nothiiiing. "

(Mina) " Mhm. Anyway, anything you two talked about that i should know? "

(Reina) " Yep, we agreed on not going to Nillio today and want to save that for tomorrow. "

(Mina) " Oh i'm fine with that. Though what're we going to do with the rest of our time? "

(Endis) " That's what we were talking about too... We've got no clue. "

(Mina) " Hmm... Anyone have any ideas? "

(Endis) " ... Not any good ones. "

(Mina) " Reina? "

(Reina) " Umm... A library? It was brought up before. "

(Mina) " Perfect! I haven't gone there yet... But i don't know where it is... "

(Reina) " Do we ask Alice? Or do we ask someone else? "

(Endis) " We need more options then just "Ask Alice", don't you think? "

(Mina) " You're right... But who should we... Is that Xyliden? "

Mina trailed off and just said Xyliden's name out of nowhere. I turned to look where she was looking and saw that it actually was him. But for some reason he didn't seem all the surprised to see us. He came in the room and grew another panel out of the floor.

(Xyliden) - Greeting to you all. Is there something you'd need of me? -

(Endis) " Yea, do you think you could give us directions to the library? "

(Xyliden) - If that's all then yes. One moment. -

After he wrote that, he seemed to turn the board around and was growing something into it. He took his time and eventually finished. When he did he turned the board around and showed us a detailed map that marked a decent and highly detailed chunk of the city. There was an X where we were, the bathhouse was marked and so was the library, which was in the opposite direction of the bathhouse. There were tiny individual houses, shops, districs and other stores all on this one panel. He handed Mina the map and made another panel.

(Xyliden) - All you'll have to do is follow the map to your destination. Now if that is all i should be on my way. -

(Mina) " That's all. Thank you again Xyliden. "

(Xyliden) - No need to mention it... I see you've taken in a slime. One with an already forming ego i see. -

(Reina) " Yea. We just found Jelly. I'm going to keep her, who knows maybe she'll turn into a Demi slime. "

Jelly ended up responding to hearing her name and just stopped jumping between the bed and ground. She jiggled on the floor for a few seconds but she eventually decided to hop onto my lap. She bobbed around for a bit and kept moving her core left and right.

Xyliden snorted at that and started growing another message on his panel.

(Xyliden) - She seems to enjoy your company aswell. -

(Reina) " i'd hope she does... But what's it mean when she moves her core around? "

(Xyliden) - If the study i read is to be believed, a slimes core is equivalent to their head, eyes and heart. So by moving her core like that, just try to imagine a child bobbing her head from left to right. -

(Endis) " So that's how it works... Weird. Cool but still weird. "

(Mina) " Haven't you said that already? "

(Endis) " Yea, so? "

(Mina) " Oh nothing. "

(Endis) " Huh? "

Before they could go into anymore banter, Xyliden knocked on his panel and brought our attention back to him.

(Xyliden) - Is there anything else you'd like my service for? -

(Mina) " No. Thank you Xyliden. "

(Xyliden) - As i said, no need to mention it. -

After that Xyliden left.

(Endis) " So? We off to the library? "

(Mina) " I don't see why not. It'll be interesting to find out about slimes and other stuff that i've never thought about reading up on. "

(Reina) " Wait... Do we have to pay to use the library? "

(Endis) " Uhh... This one should be free right? Right? "

(Mina) " ... Why didn't we ask him when we had the chance... "

(Reina) " Do we just go ask him again before we leave? "

(Endis) " That'd be awkward though... He asked iif we had anything else and we didn't bring this up... It would be waaay too awkward if we went to him with a question after that. "

(Mina) " That's such a dumb reason... I hate that i agree with it. "

(Reina) " ... You're both weird... Why is this what you agree on? "

Mina and Endis just looked at each other and awkwardly looked away.

(Endis) " Ya know what... Don't question it. "

(Mina) ... Yea. Let's just go... Endis take the gems, there's a bank... 20 minutes? Away from here... That's if i'm getting the scale of this map right. "

(Endis) " Ughh... Then what was the point of putting them away... Haah. I might aswell ask Alice when i go to pick my stuff up. "

(Mina) " But when i say it there's an issue. "

(Reina) " Huh? "

(Mina) " Nothing! "

(Endis) " Whatever. Come on we've got a library to go to. "

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

With all that said and done, we got up and started making our way downstairs. While we were going, Jelly made her way onto my head and stayed there. Jelly seemed like she would just keep going up there whenever we were on the move but i didn't mind. When we got downstairs we saw that Alice didn't really have a line so Endis went up to her and got his stuff in a few seconds. We were by the door by the time he got everything back, including the scarf... For some reason.

(Endis) " Alright, so the library here IS free, just like i said. "

(Mina) " Good. Now let's still stop by the bank and exchange the gems for some extra money. " 

(Endis) " That works. Though if we ever get low and don't have any requests lined up then i'll go get some the fun way. "

(Reina) " By gambling? "

(Endis) " Yea. Wanna learn how? "

(Mina) " *Snort* And I'M the bad influence. Let's get going before you try to put anymore ideas in her head. "

(Endis) " It's not that bad of an idea. She gets to learn a fun way to make money. It's actually a GOOD idea. "

(Mina) " Whatever you say. Come on we're waisting time just standing around. "

(Endis) " Fineee... "

Mina opened the door and took a step out. But Endis took that moment to get close.

(Endis) " Offers always on the table ya know. "

(Mina) " Endis! "

(Endis) " Alright, alright. "

(Reina) " I worry about how i'll survive with these two sometimes... "

After i said that, Jelly "pat" my head and jiggled like she was worried.

(Reina) " I'll be ok Jelly. "

She made a happy jiggle and I just sighed. I started to follow after them and caught up. We walked and talked for a bit and ended back up on the topic of teaching me how to gamble.

(Endis) " All i'm saying is it's waaay safer then taking requests aaand we can earn a whole lot inbetween requests. It's really not a bad idea if you look at it. "

(Mina) " You're not wrong... It's just not that important for her to learn that now. "

(Endis) "Oh so i can teach her in the future? Is that what you're saying? "

(Mina) " Sure... Though we should let Reina decide what she wants. What do you say Reina, do you want to learn how to gamble in the future? "

(Reina) " ...I don't mind it. Mom would probably encourage me to do it too... But i'm with Mina. Now's probably not the best time to learn how to gamble. "

(Mina) " Hah. There you go.  "

(Endis) " Oh well. Guess i'll be the bread winner of the group. "

(Mina) " Excuse me? "

(Reina) " Yea! What's that supposed to mean huh? "

(Endis) " Uhhh... Hey that's a cool looking bird... Ha... "

We just stared at Endis and ignored his weak efforts of taking our attention away from him. We kept giving him cold stares until he bought us a dumpling from a nearby food stand. I haven't tried them before so i was more then surprised when the filling spiled out and got onto my sleeve. 

(Mina) " That happened to me too. There's so much food i've never tried that i can just casually find around any of these corners. Let me get that for you though. "

Mina was about to clean the stain off but Jelly dropped onto my arm and beat her to it. Jelly got the stain off and managed to get back on top of my head without having to be told or helped.

(Reina) " Aw good girl. Thank you Jelly. "

She did a happy jiggle and made the cooing noise she did from earlier.

(Mina) " That's so convenient it's unfair. "

(Reina) " Then get your own slime. Bleh. "

(Mina) " Then maybe i will. " 

(Endis) " Haah. "

We kept talking and eventually made it to the bank. The bank had four pillars on both sides that connected the roof to the stairs that lead into it. The building looked like it was polished stone but since all the buildings were made of living wood it must've been gray tree wood or something like that. We walked into the bank and saw a scene similar to the guild. At the far end of the bank there were lines gathered at five different secretaries. But instead of there being tables and boards lining the sides, there were individual rooms, wooden... Things? They had slots near the top of them for different kinds of gems, while the middle part had a wide open slot for something else.

The things looked like they were atleast a meter tall, had writing above each slot labeling them for which jewel they took and some other stuff. They looked like they all had the same engravings and slots so it looked like it didn't matter which ones we went too. We all figured out what to do with those so we went over to the nearest one not in use and tried it out. Endis took out the bag holding his gems and put one in the corrosponding slot. It slid right in and got sucked up. There was a noise like coins falling onto each other which when we looked for it, came from the slot in the middle.

(Endis) " Thirty copper for an emerald? Really? "

(Mina) " Given how common emeralds must be here then it's not a surprise. "

(Endis) " Haah. I know, still kind of disappointing to see. "

(Mina) " I get it. Welp good thing we've got a bunch more gems to put in. "

Endis kept putting in gems and when he was done we had atleast three silver from them alone. Then when it came to be my turn we managed to get another silver and a bunch more copper.

(Mina) " Not as much as i was expecting... Well... Let's just put this all into a party account and head to the library. "

(Endis) " Yea... Maybe it won't be as underwhelming as this. "

(Reina) " I mean... It's not that bad. We're still getting some easy money. "

(Endis) " Eeeh. You're not wrong... But still... "

(Mina) " Let's get this over with. "

We got in line and waited our turn. But the lines took forever to move... It had to have been almost half an hour before we finally made it to the front. We got to a old human man who didn't look like the type to strike or carry on a conversation.

(Bank employee) " Name and reason for visit. "

(Mina) " I'm Mina Frieda, he's Endis Frieda and she's Mina kurusu. We're here to set up a party account and deposit some funds. "

(Bank employee) " I see. And do you have your personal accounts on hand?

(Mina) " No. "

(Bank employee) " OK. One moment. "

The old man looked down and seemed to open a cabinet and pulled out three iron cards similar to our adventurer plates but these cards had some engravings onto them. After he put them on the desk, he pulled out three corrosponding needles and put them next to the plates. After he was done with that, he pulled out a clear and engraved crystal the size of my head and put it behind the plates and needles.

(Bank employee) " You're adventurers, you know what to do with the cards and needles. After you claim them just tap the cards against the crystal and say your name and "Create party account", if you're the leader. If you're a member tap the crystal and say your name then say "Add to party account". That'll sort that out. After that's done hold your card up to any money you own and say "Place into account." and it shall be done. If you want to take any money out say "Remove one silver" or whatever amount you want and it'll happen. "

We nodded and all proceded to claim our cards. After we did that, Mina did what the old man told us to do and the crystal and cards engravings glowed red. After that, me and Endis followed. 

(Bank employee) " Good. Those cards will serve as your personal accounts as well as your keys to the party account. However if you lose those cards, any funds you had on them will not be transferable to any new cards you get so do not lose them. If you want to transfer funds from your personal accounts to the party account hold the cards up to any crystal at a bank and say "Transfer one silver" or any funds you want to transfer and it'll be done. Will that be all? "

(Mina) " we'll be placing some funds into our accounts and the party account. "

We talked about how much we'd add into our accounts and decided we'd put all the silver into the party account and keep the copper in our individual accounts. It was weird seeing money just disappear into the card but it was just another thing to get used too. After we finished that, we left the bank and made our way to the library. But while we were walking i ended up getting curious about something.

(Reina) " Mina... How do you store everything? "

(Mina) " Weird question. But my armor has slots on the inside that i can use like pockets. My breastplate and my leggings have them so i can carry some stuff. You've got pockets in your... Hybrid, right? Just think of it like what i've got. "

(Reina) " Huh... Guess it's not that hard to see. "

Mina even showed me what she meant when she reached in from the top and pulled out her account card. Then she put it back in like it was nothing. It was weird but it was fine. Jelly had been oddly quiet during the entire thing so i checked on her and found out she wasn't in her normal ball form and was actually a little flattened. I picked her up but she still wasn't turning into a ball.

(Reina) " Umm... Is there something wrong with her? "

They looked over and saw what i was seeing and looked as conflicted as i was.

(Mina) " I don't think anything's wrong with her... Maybe she's sleeping? "

(Reina) " But do slimes need sleep? "

(Mina) " Maybe slimes with a ego do? We already know ego slimes are different so maybe that's why? "

(Endis) " Well we're on the way to a library so you don't really need to ask questions when you'll be finding out in a bit. "

(Reina) " True... But i'm just a little worried. "

(Mina) " Well we'll just have to find some books on slimes for you. "

(Reina) " What books are you two going to get then? "

(Mina) " I'll be looking for anything that'll help me with my magic. I want to keep improving my water and i definetly want to improve with my air. I've always ignored it growing up and i still ignored it until recently. If i trained it more then i would've been able to ward off the horrible sewer smell and not have to use those makeshift masks. "

(Reina) " Why did you ignore it? "

(Mina) " Umm... "

(Endis) " If you don't tell her then i will. "

(Mina) " Ill say it!.. I wanted to be like Elaine... And Elaine doesn't have air so i focused on my water... Since that's the only element we shared... I'm not that bad, i can use it a bit just like i did when i fought Martiq, but i can't keep using it for a long time and i'm only good with attacks. "

(Reina) " Really? That was why? "

(Mina) " ... Yes... "

(Endis) " And you say I'M the one who doesn't come up with good ideas. "

(Mina) " Shut up... "

(Endis) " Whatever you say cous. Anyway i'll be looking for some beastiaries. I want to know about anything that we might come up against so we can be prepared. Pretty good idea huh? "

(Mina) " Yea yea you came up with a good idea we get it. "

We kept talking about some stuff and eventually we made it to the library. The building looked like it had three floors, steps similar to the bank, massive see through double doors and a white banner that came off of the second floor and draped down above them with a open book on it. We started to walk up the stairs and walked into the library after opening a door big enough for Mr.Vermillions head to fit through.

The inside of the library had bookshelves growing from the walls and second pathways on either side of a desk where an elven lady was sitting at. The entrance seemed to have childrens books lining the bookshelves while the books about more complicated topics were probably further in. The elven lady at the desk saw us at the doors and beckoned for us to come over. Mina went closer and we followed behind. Since we were closer, we could see her silver eyes, her emerald green hair had been tied into a bun, a light green robe with a frankly immodest cut that emphasized her assets, glasses that were on a small chain around her neck and a sheet of paper that she slid across her desk. 

(Librarian) " Sign in with your name and purpose for visit. " 

(Mina) " Ok. Can we ask you about where certain subjects of books are or is there a system of finding certain subjects? And is there  a time llimit to how long we can be here for? " 

(Librarian) " You're free to ask me about any book subjects. I'll be able to tell you where they should be. And yes there is a system to find certain books. By the stairs there will be tables that contain books with a directory of the books that are on that floor. There is no time limit to how long you can be here for. Now, what books are you all looking for? " 

(Mina) " I'll be looking for any books on air magic. "

(Reina) " I want any books that'll help me with raising and learning about a slime. "

After i was done, Endis leaned onto the desk and got closer to the elven lady.

(Endis) " I'm here to look into some beastiaries but i wouldn't mind looking into spending some time with you. "

As soon as Endis finished his sentence me and Mina let out long sigh. Mina pinched the bridge of her nose and just looked in the opposite direction of where Endis was.

(Mina) " Oh for the love of the gods... "

I couldn't help but sympathize with Mina and just rub her back.

(Reina) " It'll be ok. We can always say we don't know him. "

The librarian seemed to be enjoying our suffering since she let out a chuckle and started looking over Endis.

(Librarian) " Hoh? Quite bold for someone you've just met. "

Despite her saying that, she was giving Endis an intruiged look. Thankfully before i had to deal with any more of the awkwardness, Mina grabbed me by the shoulders and started pushing.

(Mina) " We're just gonna go now. "

(Librarian) " That's fine with me. To find your magic books head towards the second floor and go to the shelf in the far back corner. That shelf contains books of air magic theory and applications. For the books on slimes just go to the middle bookshelf in the middle of this floor. That shelf contains taming manuals and instructions on what you're looking for. "

(Mina) " Thank you, bye now! "

Mina pushed me out of there as if we were avoiding a plauge. We got to the middle of the room where there were tables of people of all different races, comfy chairs for people to read on their own, bookshelves that grew from the center of the floor, the sides of the walls, stairs that went up to the next floor and even the tables she told us about. 

(Mina) " I'll see you in a bit. Have a good time with what you're looking for Reina. "

(Reina) " Ok, you too Mina. "

Mina started going up the stairs and waved me off. I decided to start looking for the books i was looking for and went to where the librarian told me to go. I managed to find a few books on slimes but i didn't exactly know which ones to read first. There was "Slime raising for dummies", "Slimes 101", "Slimes, natures bestfriend" and a bunch of other books. 

I eventually just decided on reading the thinnest ones and make my way up to the thicker books. When i decided that, i started looking for a spot to go read. The seats and tables that were closest to me were all taken so i had to walk around a bit until i found a nice empty comfy chair near the far end of the room. I made my way over to it and sat down with the 6 books i had picked out and got started reading. The first book i opened was "Slimes, for me and you". Despite the friendly title, the book itself seemed to be atleast two hundred pages.

(Reina) " Haah. We're going to be here for a while. "