While checking the school map, I entered the library on the second floor of the third building.
The senior students must be focused on classes at the moment. I don’t see any other students in the library. Besides the librarian managing the books, I am completely alone.
Without rushing, I start searching for the book I want.
“Excuse me, Hermes-sama? Why did you come straight to the library on your first day of classes? What book are you looking for?”
“Ah, right, I haven’t told Fran my intention. I’m looking for a magic book.”
“A magic book? Why…?”
“Of course, to learn magic. In high school, we only had beginner-level books, but in the high school library, there should be intermediate-level books… I think.”
The only guarantee of that is the lack of information in Hermes’ memory, and the only reliable one is the memory from when he was alive. Maybe it’s not like in the game. The more I think about it, the bigger the doubts in my mind become.
And to dispel those doubts, that’s why I came right after the entrance ceremony ended. Even though it’s impossible for me to learn intermediate-level magic for now, I want to check if those books exist or not.
“Intermediate magic book… Intermediate magic book…”
Muttering to myself, I no longer seem to be anything other than a suspicious individual.
Despite that, Fran watches me without saying anything. And perhaps my wish to find a magic book, even if it makes me look suspicious, was heard by the heavens, as I found the book after searching for a few minutes.
“…Intermediate fire magic book… This is it!”
The magic books are placed on shelves near the entrance for students to frequently consult.
In a row, next to the book I’m looking for, are books of magic from other elements.
From holy magic to dark magic, the existence of these books completely reassures me.
Well. If there’s an intermediate magic book here, then my plan remains unchanged.
I will use the vast time impossible in the game and the knowledge of my past life to level up efficiently.
For now, my immediate goal is… Prepare for a common event that will take place in two months.
As I looked at the cover of the magic book, I let out an ominous laugh.
***
I returned the intermediate magic book to its original shelf and headed to the male dormitory with Fran.
Despite being a school for nobles, the Academy requires students to live in exclusive dormitories during their first three years.
I thought this was a consideration by the game creators to facilitate progress, but it’s convenient not having to travel back and forth in a carriage from home to school. In fact, the dormitories built for nobles are much more impressive than the apartment I lived in my past life. The rooms are spacious and fully equipped with everything needed for daily life.
Upon opening the door to room <406>, I crossed a short hallway that leads to the living room. By opening the window and looking outside, you can clearly see the inside of the school, as we are on the fourth floor.
From the lush gardens to even the dome-shaped training ground are visible.
“Not bad. It’s easy to come and go, I could even live here forever, not just for three years.”
“Please stop making such serious jokes, Hermes-sama. Are you really considering repeating a year?”
“Repeating a year? I thought they graduated you by force if you didn’t pass.”
“We are not in times of war. Mage training is done carefully. So don’t relax at all! If someone from the Duke’s house were to repeat a year, the teachers would be very distressed.”
“Hahaha. I understand. I just said it for the sake of it. I will also do my best if I do it. I’m looking forward to classes starting tomorrow.”
Well, what I’m really looking forward to is the weekend.
Studying is easy: simply reading random books automatically increases my <intelligence> stat.
It’s an incredible game mechanic. But to level up, I need to hunt monsters outside the city or in dungeons. It’s also an opportunity to improve in fencing and magic, so I hope the weekend comes soon.
Among the dungeons scattered throughout the capital, I know the most suitable place to level up at the beginning. Of course, I plan to conquer it, but first, I need to learn the necessary magic.
That’s why I went to the library today to check if there was an intermediate magic book. And as I expected, the magic books were available for free consultation.
Although I still lack the skill to learn intermediate-level magic, just confirming the existence of the book is enough for now.
Leveling up from <beginner> to <intermediate> shouldn’t be too difficult.
“Well. To achieve good results in classes and to become stronger, I must start training in magic right now.”
“Right now? Do you really need to rush so much…?”
“Time is limited, Fran. There are many things I want to do. Every minute counts, and I can’t afford to waste it.”
As soon as I said that, I used the magic that Hermes-kun remembers.
The manipulation of magical energy needed to cast magic is stored in this body.
Naturally, I murmured the name of the spell that came to mind.
“<Divine Aura>”
Lower divine attribute.
It’s a boosting spell that enhances physical capabilities. Specifically, it grants a temporary increase in STR, VIT, and AGI.
The duration of the effect is proportional to the user’s INT. Given my current state of rather weak skills, both the increase and the duration are short. But that’s fine.
Magic ability increases only after the spell is activated and its effect manifested for the first time. If I use healing or offensive spells, the magic ability doesn’t increase, or I end up causing a mess in the room.
Casting a boosting spell that can be done in my room and allows for multiple repetitions was perfect for me at this moment.
As a precaution, I opened the stats screen to check the magic skill, and indeed it had increased from 1 to 3. In my days as a simple player, how much time did I spend increasing this magic skill…?
However, the flow of time in this world is not as fast as in a game. If I restore my MP, I can cast magic as many times as I want.
I could use the wealth of the Duke’s house to buy piles of expensive MP Potions, but that’s something for later. Anyway, I won’t be able to go to the dungeon until the weekend, so for now, I’ll take it easy and gradually increase my magic skill during the week.
Later, quietly under Fran’s watchful eye, I continued reciting holy magic every time my MP recovered.
***
The next morning.
I entered the classroom dragging my tired body.
I didn’t know that depleting my MP repeatedly would affect my physical condition the next day.
I never imagined I would feel so heavy and unmotivated. Furthermore, the automatic recovery speed of my MP has also decreased, and unlike in a game, it seems that in real life, if you push yourself too hard, there will be repercussions later.
Unaware of Fran’s glaring gaze behind me, I took my seat and pretended not to notice.
While absentmindedly looking at the blackboard trying to remember what the first class was, suddenly, a voice calls out to me from the side. As I turned my gaze…
“Hello! You’re Hermes, right? No formalities or polite language, right? There’s no need for all that in school, the teachers also said it!”
By some strange coincidence, with her long black hair reaching her waist and a friendly smile on her face, Leah Laintaina envelops me.
