In the academy

Even though Bythos is currently the Archmage's director, he doesn't have any relevant knowledge to assist him.

The knowledge he had from his world may or may not be applicable to this one where magic exists.

As such, he headed over to the student's library to do some basic reading.

When Bythos was reading, a student approached him.

"I've never seen you around here before. Are you the new teacher?"

"No, I'm just a temporary assistant here. Anything else?" Bythos replied, with an unintentional sharpness.

This seem to have startled the student who muttered apologies and went on her way. At the very least there's peace and quiet for Bythos to focus.

...

"I finally found you!" Alice exclaimed, "I was asking for where you are and someone pointed to the here."

Bythos looked out the window and noticed it's starting to get dark. He turned to Alice and asked, "Is today's lesson over?"

Excitedly, Alice nodded her head. Bythos walked her back to the student dormitory. Afterwards, as Bythos was about to leave, Alice tugged at his sleeves, telling him to stay.

"I'm not allowed to stay at the students dormitory, I have my own lodgings in my workplace. Besides, you should learn to sleep on your own. I won't be around all the time you know?"

Listening to Bythos' words, Alice seemed to understand, but isn't too happy about it.

Bythos sighed and said, "I'll read you to sleep."

Hearing that, Alice dashed back inside her room and lay on the bed, while Bythos grabbed a chair and sat down beside the bed.

...

"... with one fell swoop, the knight cleaved the dragon's head, saved the maiden and lived happily ever after."

It seems like she fell asleep. Bythos thought to himself.

He pulled the blanket up to cover Alice then headed back to the library to do some more reading before going to sleep.

Unlike at home, the magic lights in the library keeps it dimly lit even at night, so Bythos isn't forced to go to sleep early.

While he was reading Bythos noticed that Archmage Zaroth walked in.

"You still haven't gone to roost have you? Reading here in the dead of night." Archmage Zaroth said.

"I could say the same for you. It appears that both of us are late sleepers." Bythos replied.

Archmage Zaroth grabbed a chair and sat down. "I don't sleep much at my age these days. I will have all eternity to rest afterwards, and my body echoes the sentiment."

Bythos folded the page he was reading, then close the book and asked, "So, what brings you here?"

"Well, since you're here, let's have a lengthy discussion then. I've always wanted to have a talk with an otherworlder."

"I don't mind it. So what would you like to talk about?" Bythos asked.

"About your world. There aren't many who came here from another world. Most of them are heroes, but there are the occasional outliers. The heroes usually are not of any note since most of them either get killed or get married to some royalty somewhere. The outliers on the other hand are more interesting. You aren't a hero are you?"

"Do I look like one to you?" Bythos asked plainly.

"No, you don't look like an unlikeable person so you're likely an outlier, but that need not be said."

Curious, Bythos asked, "You have any bad experiences with them? You don't seem to be fond of them at all."

Archmage Zaroth's face curled into a sneer, as he said, "They're some of the worst people I've met. Arrogant beyond measure, acting as if they are wiser than everyone. The only redeeming quality they have is their combat prowess. The last time I met one he made demands of me. After teaching him a lesson he never bothered me again."

Bythos raised his brow and said, "I would've expected there to be some sensible heroes at the very least."

Archmage Zaroth waved it off and said, "Nonsense. They've all got an inflated sense of self-importance. The outliers are much better. Unlike the heroes they've actually positively contributed towards this world with their knowledge."

Bythos had never heard about this before. Naturally he was curious and wanted to know more. Bythos asked, "In what way?"

"Well, the people from your world have a unique way of looking at things, likely due to the absence of magic in your world. Some of the knowledge they brought with them had helped with our development, as they do not require the input of magic to work. Although I can't be sure how much we are influenced by your world."

"Hmm...That's interesting." Bythos muttered. "I had never expected people from my world influencing yours."

Archmage Zaroth stood up abruptly and said, "It's about time to sleep. Any later and it'll affect my work. You should go too."

Bythos was feeling sleepy, so he nodded his head and headed back for his office to sleep.

...

In his dreams, Bythos found himself now in a strange building. Around him are rows and rows of bookshelves, stretching to the heavens without limit.

At the centre the Monad stands waiting for him.

"You like this place?" the Monad asked.

"What's this place for?" Bythos can't help but ask, but the bookshelves probably gave the purpose away.

"I figured it would be a good idea to let you revisit the things you've read before and more, so I brought this place here. All the books in your world that are of interest to you should be here, and should you wish, more will appear too." the Monad said.

Once the Monad finished explaining, he vanished into thin air.

Bythos walked around the place, staring at the bookshelves. That's when he noticed that the books on it are not labelled.

When he took one down, there were no texts within or outside the books. Confused, Bythos put the book back in its place and thought about the old books he'd read when he was younger.

At this point, a book flew down from the higher shelves and landed in front of Bythos. It was the same book which he was thinking about. Bythos picked it up and began revisiting it.

...

Bythos woke up from his dream and found himself clutching something in his arms. He brought it up and saw it was the same book he was reading in his dreams.

Was it not a dream? It must be. But what can explain the presence of the book he's holding? Bythos do not have an answer.

Bythos left his room and headed to the Archmage's office, bringing the book with him.

"Hmm..." Archmage Zaroth examined the book closely, "the writing doesn't seem to be any language I know of, and it feels different from the regular parchment the scribe's guild sells."

He turned and asked, "How did you manage to get this? You made no mention of it previously."

"I found it on me yesterday." Bythos replied.

Archmage Zaroth gave a thoughtful hum, then placed the book on his study and casted some spell. Once the spell was cast, he began flipping the pages quickly, finally closing the book with an exhausted look.

"Having to maintain the spell while trying to read the book is tiring. If you don't mind, could you translate it for me? I'll provide the parchments to transcribe the words." Archmage Zaroth said, "You can do this for now. I'm still waiting for some equipment to come through."

"Alright, I was itching for something else to do anyway." Bythos replied.