Chapter 653: The Main Library [Part 1]
Northern, without a care in the world for the sinister glares that the students threw his way, walked to the library.
Before delving into what he truly came for, his plan was to meet the librarian. When he got admitted, Heimburger had allocated an office to him, and he was supposed to go to the librarian to receive the key and location of the office.
Because Northern had been too busy for the past three weeks, he hadn't gotten a perfect opportunity; sometimes he even forgot.
But today, he was finally going to do so and get to the office where he could have his privacy- to a certain degree, at least.
He didn't want to believe that Heimburger wouldn't bug the office in some way to monitor him.
This was the thing about humans: when they see someone incomprehensibly strong, instead of letting them be, they begin to poke their noses around.
Northern planned to allow Heimburger to satisfy his curiosity, for now though.
He had plans for both him and his lackey.
The library was almost like a metropolitan building; it was, in fact, the longest glass building that Northern had taken note of when he first arrived at the academy.
It was a marvel of modern architecture, a towering glass skyscraper that reflected the shifting hues of the sky like a living painting.
Its exterior was a seamless blend of mirrored glass and sharp, steel accents, giving it an ethereal quality that made it seem as though it were both a part of the heavens and the earth. The daystar, whenever it hit the structure, refracted through the glass, creating a kaleidoscope of colors on the surrounding cobblestone paths.
The sheer height of the building was enough to make any onlooker crane their neck in awe.
It stretched so high into the sky that the top floors often disappeared into the mist on cloudy days, making it seem endless.
The exterior was adorned with subtle carvings on its steel supports, depicting constellations, symbols of the constellations' churches, and excerpts of ancient texts, all glowing faintly whenever shadows drifted by.
The main library stood so magnificent, and was a mark of the academy's center. No matter from what angle, or how far, as far as one was within the academy, the could see the library.
Often times, students used the main library to navigate their way through the enormous space of the academy.
At its base, the library had an open plaza, paved with white and gray stones arranged in a pattern that resembled a spiraling galaxy.
Northern could find students and staff alike often, either seated on the curved benches circling the building or walking along the pathways that connected the library to various parts of the academy.
The main entrance was no less imposing. A set of double doors, crafted from tempered glass and framed by steel in the shape of entwined branches, welcomed entries.
Above the entrance, an enormous symbol of an open book, etched in gold runes "Milhwa Oragimo" glimmered under the daystar.
The doors slid open silently, and Northern entered inside.
The first thing he noticed was the chills that clung to his body, before getting the chance to explore more of the library, the officer standing by the door, directed to the man seated behind a desk at the corner of the library.
Northern bowed respectfully as he reached in front of the man, who looked quite ordinary with a rectangular glasses.
He asked.
"Are you the librarian?"
The man looked at him, his face solemn.
"I am the librarian for the first floor. Each floor in the library has its own librarian."
The man paused and observed him.
"I can't remember the last time I saw someone from the non-combative school around here. Is this your first time?"
Northern nodded, "Yes it is. Is there a problem?" His expression oozed a slight pressure.
"No son. There is no problem. Everyone Combative, non Combative alike is welcomed at the library."
The man packed up a few opened books and shifted his chair, standing up, he smiled and said to Northern.
"Shall I give you a short tour of the library since it's your first time here."
Northern studied the librarian for a moment, his demeanor calm but alert.
"A short tour sounds fine," he replied, though inwardly, he wasn't particularly interested in pleasantries.
His focus was on finding the librarian responsible for the office Heimburger had mentioned and going to read some history books.
However, this brief detour would allow him to familiarize himself with the library's structure, so it wasn't a waste of time.
The librarian nodded, his rectangular glasses catching the soft, ambient light.
"Follow me," he said, his voice low but deliberate, as if he held a deep reverence for the space around them.
As they moved further into the library, Northern took in his surroundings.
The first floor was vast, its ceilings impossibly high, supported by sleek, arching beams of steel and crystal.
The walls, though primarily made of glass, were layered with floating holographic screens displaying texts, illustrations, and maps. It was as if the library itself breathed knowledge, exuding an aura of wisdom and mystery.
Rows upon rows of towering shelves stretched into the distance, each filled with tomes of varying sizes, their spines adorned with intricate patterns and golden lettering in languages Northern couldn't immediately decipher.
Between the shelves, students sat at polished, crescent-shaped tables, their heads bent over holographic projections or old-fashioned books, the faint hum of whispers and the soft rustle of pages filling the air.
The librarian gestured toward the ceiling.
"Each floor of the library is designed for a specific purpose," he began.
"The first floor is for general studies-history, philosophy, literature. It is open to all students, whether they belong to the combative or non-combative schools."
'Oh, so, this is where I need to be...' Northern opened his mouth.
"So, all the books of history is available in this place."
"Usually yes, but if you don't find certain books here, that will be because of their
importance, some books because of how precious They are even though they belong to this floor would he found on higher floors accessible by permission alone."
'In order words, what can be found here is what can he found anyway' Northern summarized
the whole point in his head.
"Is there anything in particular you are looking for?"
Northern observed the man for second and then shook his head.
"Nothing in particular, I was just curious."