The Book of Summoning

Lucien lay sprawled on his dorm bed, his entire body aching from his humiliating defeat at the hands of Leon. Every muscle felt bruised, and his pride? Shattered beyond recognition.

[So, what's next, champ? More losing? Maybe you could become the academy's official punching bag.]

"Not helping," Lucien grumbled, wincing as he sat up.

[Oh, I'm helping in my own way. Consider me your life coach — specializing in sarcasm and emotional damage.]

Lucien groaned, rubbing his temples. (I need power. Real power. If I keep going like this, I'm dead.)

[Wow, you're finally catching on. Took you long enough.]

Ignoring the system's endless snark, an idea suddenly sparked in his mind. "The library!" he whispered, his eyes lighting up.

[Oh no. Please tell me you're not planning on reading your way to victory.]

(Books are knowledge. Knowledge is power.)

[And yet you still lose. Explain that.]

"Shut up."

Lucien stood up with determination, brushing off his tattered uniform and heading toward the academy's massive library. The system kept snickering in his head, but he ignored it. He had a goal.

When he reached the library entrance, his breath caught. The building was enormous — grand marble pillars and towering glass windows framed the entrance. But what really made his heart skip wasn't the library itself. It was the girl stepping out of it.

She was beautiful — long, chestnut-brown hair tied in a loose braid, eyes a warm shade of amber, and a soft, calm expression on her face. She wore the simple badge of a commoner student, but there was a quiet dignity to her.

Lucien felt his heart lurch. (Is this… love at first sight?)

[Oh no.]

Lucien watched her walk away, completely mesmerized—

[Nope! Snap out of it, Romeo.]

(But—)

[No buts! Your priority is survival, not romance. You don't even know her name, and you're already writing love poems in your head.]

(You have no soul.)

[And you have no survival instincts. We all have our flaws.]

Shaking his head, Lucien forced himself into the library — and promptly forgot about everything else.

The interior was breathtaking. Rows upon rows of towering shelves stretched endlessly, filled with tens of thousands of books. The scent of parchment and ink filled the air, and the soft glow of magical lamps gave the place an ethereal vibe.

It was a scholar's paradise. And for Lucien, a self-proclaimed study nerd in his past life, it was heaven.

"I could live here," he whispered in awe.

[Or die here. Given your track record, I'd say it's 50/50.]

Ignoring the system's commentary, Lucien approached the front desk, where an elderly librarian sat quietly reading. "Excuse me, where can I find books on fire magic?"

The librarian peered at him over his spectacles. "Second floor. Section D."

"Thank you!"

Lucien hurried toward the staircase, already imagining the spells and techniques he'd learn. But as he passed one of the shelves on the first floor, something caught his eye — a single book, set apart from the others.

It was old, bound in dark leather, and covered in strange, intricate symbols. The title, barely visible, read: "The Art of Summoning."

Lucien's curiosity flared. (Summoning magic?)

[No. Put it back. You're here for fire magic. You know, the thing you actually use?]

(But look at it!)

[That's how people die in horror stories, Lucien.]

Ignoring the system's warnings, Lucien carefully picked up the book and carried it back to the front desk. "I'd like to check this out, please."

The librarian looked up—then froze. His eyes went wide. "T-This book… where did you find this?"

Lucien blinked. "Uh… on the first floor?"

The librarian's hands trembled. "You… want to check out this book?"

"Is… that a problem?"

The librarian stared at him, his face pale. "You… really shouldn't…"

[Oh, great. You broke the librarian.]

Lucien's heart began to race. "What's so special about this book?" he asked slowly.

To be continued…