Chapter-6 Small Upgrade and Guild

Inside the library, the scent of old books and polished wood enveloped him like a cozy blanket. The space wasn't vast; there were merely twenty shelves, each lined with dusty volumes that lay in peaceful silence, untouched for what seemed like ages. Dust motes danced in the beams of light filtering through the tall, narrow windows, giving the room a timeless quality.

As Noland approached the librarian—an unassuming woman with silver hair pulled neatly into a bun and spectacles perched delicately on her nose.

"I'd like to stay for one hour," he said, placing the fifteen bronze coins on the desk without the hint of hesitation. The librarian's eyes momentarily widened, glinting with interest. It wasn't every day someone ventured into this forgotten refuge. Most visitors were eager scholars, bursting with questions and seeking knowledge, while Noland was the direct opposite of that.

Fifteen coins felt like a substantial sacrifice for him, especially when he wasn't a knight or mage, but she didn't seem the type to judge by appearances. She nodded, sliding the coins aside with a practiced motion, her expression still unreadable.

"You can only stay for one hour, and you cannot take the books outside," she warned, her voice steady. "If you damage a book, you'll owe me a compensation of one gold coin. And you must leave when the hour is up; otherwise, you'll be forcibly removed. Should you wish to extend your time, you'll need to pay again."

Noland's scalp prickled at the thought of incurring a fine. He had heard whispers that these books were part of a personal collection belonging to the Town Mayor. The idea of encountering the Mayor—whom he had never seen—was more daunting than any fine.

Realizing time was not on his side, he hurriedly walked toward the shelves. His fingers brushed against the spines of the books, feeling the wear that spoke of years gone by. He chose a random book from the first shelf, gently removing the dust that had accumulated over time, and opened it with deliberate care. Although he couldn't decipher the text, that wasn't a problem for him.

"Nano, start scanning and decode the language from these books. Also, store all the data in a new file," he commanded, his heart racing with excitement.

[Started scanning…]

He flipped through the pages, his mind racing with the thrill of discovery. The library held countless stories, and knowledge that waited patiently for him to uncover. Even with Nano's remarkable scanning speed, he knew he wouldn't be able to read everything in just one hour.

After less than a minute, he scanned the entire book, but he hesitated to initiate the knowledge transfer. His thoughts were consumed by more pressing matters.

"Nano, have you decoded the language yet?"

[Yes, sir. Would you like to initiate the language transfer?]

"Yes," he replied, anticipation building within him.

As the rush of information flowed into his mind, clarity washed over him. He suddenly understood the language, grasping the intricate patterns and meanings. As he looked toward the shelves again, he started selecting books that delved into the world's history, eager to learn more about the realm he found himself in.

He spent half an hour flipping through many books, but even with his efforts, he had only scanned sixty books so far. The prospect of not fully utilizing his time gnawed at him. "At this rate, I can't possibly scan all the books in the library. There must be at least two hundred!"

"Nano, can't you scan all the books inside the library without me needing to open them?" Noland suddenly remembered Nano's advanced scanning capabilities. Could it be possible?

[Affirmative.]

"What the hell? Why didn't you mention that sooner?" he exclaimed, a mix of frustration and relief washing over him.

[Host has been provided with all the information regarding the functions of the Nano Machine.]

Feeling foolish for not realizing this earlier, he commanded Nano to scan all the shelves. A soft blue light enveloped the rows of books, illuminating the dust particles in the air like glittering gems. He glanced at the librarian, relieved to find she was completely engrossed in her own work, seemingly oblivious to the otherworldly glow.

[Scan complete of 283 books. All the data has been stored and analyzed. In light of the sufficient data, Nano has improved the status panel for the host. Would you like to see it?]

"That sounds promising! Show it to me," Noland said, eyes bright with anticipation.

[Name: Noland Krol] 

[Nano Machine: Version 1] 

[Race: Human] 

[Age: 13] 

[Health Points: 150/150] 

[Mana: 0] 

[Fitness: 3X] 

[Mana: None] 

[Spells: None] 

"Of course I'm a human," he murmured, glancing over the newly formatted data. "I know there are other species in this world but there are none in this town, I think. I'm thirteen, but I should turn fourteen soon enough. Then, I can visit the church for my awakening, but for that, I need ten silver coins or, more precisely, one gold coin." He mentally calculated the implications of his health points, appreciating the clarity they offered.

Rows of information hovered before his eyes, and a thoughtful frown crossed his face. "What's this 'X' notation? Let me guess—it's the fitness level of an average human, right?"

[Yes.]

"Alright, let's transfer all the information from the books. I need to get a grasp on where exactly I'm situated in this world," he commanded, determination creeping into his voice.

Once again, a cold sensation enveloped him as information flooded into his consciousness. Despite the overwhelming volume of books, he found a new ease in digesting the material, aided by the enhancements provided by his Nano machine. His mind raced as he absorbed knowledge more rapidly and clearly than ever before, piecing together the fragmented understanding of his surroundings.

Noland felt a spark ignite within him, one that promised not just to illuminate his past, but to guide his future in this vast and unfamiliar world. The hour may have been fleeting, but his quest for understanding had only just begun.

Noland took a deep breath as the weight of knowledge settled within him. The words he had absorbed echoed in his mind, painting a vivid picture of the world he inhabited. Fograin town, nestled within the vast expanses of the Tartis Kingdom on the Dulu Continent, was just the tip of the iceberg. This realm thrummed with magic, teemed with fierce monsters, and housed numerous dungeons waiting to be explored.

His thoughts drifted to Emperor Valthor Demak Tartis XVII, who had ruled the Tartis Empire for countless years. The empire itself was a marvel of history, more than thousand years old. The kingdom was strategically positioned, encircled by the formidable Vermora Kingdom to the east, where demi-humans thrived; the human-populated Kingdom of Acredian to the west; the dwarf-dominated Empire of Ignirath to the north; and to the south, the mysterious Sylvarion Kingdom, where elves shrouded in enchantment made their home.

"Demi-Humans, born with the combination of humans and other species. I see. Dwarves and elves. The world has much more depth than I thought.", Noland murmured.

However, amidst these regal surroundings, it was the Mages that truly captured Noland's attention. The elusive details concerning them hinted at a life full of promise and peril, each mage journeying through an awakening ceremony at the tender age of 14—a rite of passage that would change their fate forever.

Shaking off his musings, Noland realized he had been lost in contemplation for what felt like an eternity, though only a minute had actually passed. The librarian remained engrossed in her work, seemingly oblivious to the world around her.

He gently thanked her with a nod, noticing her curious look, perhaps wondering why he had only spent such a brief period in the library. With a purpose in his stride, he stepped into the bustling streets, his destination set firmly on the Adventurer Guild.

Arriving at the impressive Guild Hall, its lavish exterior was a welcome sight. Towering double doors, wide enough for a wagon to pass with ease, beckoned him. As he approached, he observed a lively throng of individuals, each exuding excitement and ambition as they streamed through the entrance.

The hall's interior astonished him. It was larger than he'd envisioned, stretching close to 100 square meters. His gaze flickered to the right, where a bulletin board overflowed with a variety of quests, each one whispering tales of adventure and peril. To the front, a young woman in a simple green uniform stood behind the counter, her smile warm and inviting, a beacon of welcoming amidst the hustle and bustle.

Tables lined the left side of the hall, populated by burly adventurers sharing raucous laughter and clinking mugs filled with frothy ale. Their camaraderie spoke volumes and filled the air with a buzz of life. Yet, before he could fully immerse himself in the atmosphere, a voice snapped him back to reality.

"Hey, move aside!" A commanding voice cut through the chatter. Noland turned to see a group of men clad in an assortment of heavy armor, weapons glinting ominously in the light. At the front was a particularly burly man, his massive double-axe resting casually on his shoulder, exuding an aura of strength and intimidation.

While he sensed a challenge, Noland decided to play it safe, stepping aside and allowing them to pass. The men laughed menacingly as they hurried towards the drinking area, their presence undeniably imposing. Noland shook his head slightly, focusing his thoughts on his own goals as he made his way to the front counter.

"I need to get an Adventurer Card," he said, cutting straight to the chase. Though he had briefly held an adventurer card before, it had been lost during a harrowing encounter in the woods with a monstrous beast. Without the card, he couldn't take on any quests—the very lifeblood of an aspiring adventurer.

The woman at the counter studied him with bright eyes, her smile unwavering. "Of course! We can get that sorted for you. May I have your name, please?"