Alex led Max deeper into the endless maze of shelves. Each section had marble signs carved with glowing runes above its entrance, making navigation easier for newcomers.
"Alright," Alex said, lowering his voice as if he were a tour guide. "Since you're new, let me explain the other major categories of books here. Pay attention—if you get lost, I won't come rescue you. The librarians here have worse tempers than magical beasts."
Max snorted. "Yeah, sure. Bet you got chased once."
Alex coughed, pretending not to hear.
Black Smithing Section
He stopped in front of a hall lined with anvils carved into the stone pillars. Inside, Max saw shelves stacked with heavy tomes bound in dark leather. The smell of soot and metal seemed to cling to the air itself.
"The Blacksmithing Section," Alex explained. "This is where you'll find everything related to forging weapons, armor, and artifacts. From basic metallurgy to forging enchanted gear using beast cores."
He leaned closer and whispered dramatically.
"Legend has it, the higher floors contain blueprints for divine weapons. One hammer swing, and you could split mountains."
Max's eyes widened. "...So if I study blacksmithing, I can make myself a weapon that breaks the world?"
Alex smirked. "If you don't blow yourself up first. Blacksmithing isn't just hammering iron. It's delicate. Some alloys require handling temperatures hotter than dragon fire. Some metals are cursed—you breathe in the wrong fumes, and you'll die in a week."
The system chuckled in Max's head:
[You'd probably burn your eyebrows off before forging a single nail.]
"…Shut up," Max muttered
Beast Theories ; They moved into another section, where the shelves were filled with illustrated bestiaries. Enchanted sketches of creatures moved on the pages, snarling or spreading their wings.
"The Beast Theories Section," Alex said. "One of the most popular categories. Hunters and scholars come here to learn about magical beasts—habits, weaknesses, habitats, and evolutionary stages."
He pulled out a large tome and flipped it open, showing Max a moving sketch of a massive wolf with glowing eyes.
"This, for example, is a Moonfang Direwolf. Nocturnal, feeds on mana, and its howl can disorient a man's soul. Without knowing this, most hunters would charge in blind—and die screaming."
Max studied the page intently. So this is what real knowledge looks like…
"The higher floors," Alex continued, "contain records of mythical beasts—dragons, phoenixes, leviathans. Some say there are even entries about extinct creatures. Or… creatures the Empire doesn't want the public to know exist."
"…You're impossible."
History :The next section was quieter, almost solemn. Shelves here were filled with ancient scrolls, maps, and chronicles. The air smelled faintly of ink and dust.
"The History Section," Alex said. "Boring to some, priceless to others. You'll find the rise and fall of empires, records of wars, dynasties, and the lives of great cultivators. But be warned—history is written by the victors. Don't expect the whole truth here."
He pointed to the higher floors. "Up there, though? That's where the real history is kept. The kind that was erased from classrooms—catastrophes, rebellions, ancient secrets buried so deep only scholars and rulers know them."
Max raised a brow. "Sounds rigged."
Alex smirked. "Congratulations, you've discovered politics."
Geography Section :The geography section was filled with massive globes, enchanted maps, and atlases that floated mid-air. Holographic landscapes shimmered, showing mountains, deserts, seas, and even the outlines of dungeon territories.
"The Geography Section," Alex explained, waving at a glowing map of the continent. "This covers everything about the world itself—kingdoms, hidden realms, resource-rich areas, even recorded dungeons."
Max leaned closer to one of the maps, his eyes sparkling. "Wait… this thing is moving."
Alex grinned. "Of course. These aren't just maps—they're living records. Some update automatically when territories change hands or when a dungeon shifts its position."
"...That's insane," Max whispered.
[Not insane. Efficient. Too bad you can't even read half the runes, blockhead.]
"System, I swear I'll—"
"Who are you talking to?" Alex asked suspiciously.
"…No one. Shut up," Max muttered quickly.
Miscellaneous Archives :Finally, they reached a wide hall filled with odd collections: shelves of poetry, cooking manuals, strange philosophical treatises, and even books labeled "Unverified Theories."
Alex gestured broadly. "And this is the Miscellaneous Section. A grab-bag of everything that doesn't fit anywhere else. Crazy inventors, failed philosophers, outdated cultivation theories… but sometimes, hidden gems pop up here."
"Like what?" Max asked.
Alex smirked. "Like the Recipe for Everlasting Beer. Some drunk adventurer swore he discovered it. Scholars laugh, but hunters still come here looking for it."
Max blinked. "…Honestly, I'd look too."
[Pathetic. You don't even drink, blockhead.]
"I could start!" Max snapped under his breath.
---
Max's Thoughts
By the time Alex finished his explanation, Max felt as though he had stepped into a world far larger and deeper than he imagined. The four floors weren't just a library—they were a map of privilege, power, and secrecy.
His hands clenched at his sides. Someday, I'll climb to the very top. No matter what it takes.
Alex, noticing his expression, grinned knowingly. "Careful, rookie. That look in your eyes… that's the same look every fool has before they bite off more than they can chew."
Max smirked faintly. "Better to choke trying than starve playing safe."
I will escort you to the second floor and leave afterwards, I have to go somewhere with sister Scarlett. She would punish me if I'm late, so I have to leave early, you can go back once you are done, the person in charge there will put all the charges for the book you read on the Wilson Family. You can pay back later if you want.