"Hmm... I think I’ve finally reached my limit with this book."
I muttered to myself while scanning the open pages of the magic book in my hands. I wondered just how many dozens of times I’d reread this specific one.
Magic books are composed of characters infused with mana. By comprehending these characters, a person becomes capable of manifesting magic. If casting the spell were the only goal, reading the text once or twice would be enough; however, by repeatedly studying a book to deepen one's understanding, the level of mastery over that magic increases exponentially.
Consequently, mages will read a magic book as many times as it takes to reach complete comprehension. But since I’d already mastered every magic book in this library, my current routine was nothing more than an endless loop of review.
Review is important, obviously. If you don't use magic, you lose it, and your mastery levels will tank. But still, the repetition was getting tedious. I was craving a fresh spark of inspiration.
"Ha-ha, you’re always buried in magic books, Lloyd. Why don't you try reading something else for a change?"
Albert, who was sitting across from me, looked up from his own book to speak. I shook my head in response.
"I’ve already read every magic book in this library."
"...Oh? Should I give you a test, then?" Albert asked, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind—these are known as the Four Basic Magic Systems. How many books on those subjects are in this library?"
"There are 145 that focus on them as primary subjects," I answered immediately. "232 if you include those that cover them as secondary themes. Oh, but I’m always conflicted on where to categorize books about things like golems... Personally, I consider them control-system magic, but the Four Basic Magic Systems are heavily involved in the molding of their bodies. What do you think, Albert-niisan?"
When I looked up, Albert’s eyes were wide with shock.
"You... you really read them all?"
"Ah, well... it’s not like I understand them all perfectly yet. A-ha-ha... magic is just so deep, isn't it?"
That was a close one. I’d assumed reading through the library was normal, but judging by his reaction, I’d overstepped. Albert’s suspicious gaze was starting to feel a bit uncomfortable.
"...I honestly don't know whether to be appalled or impressed. I’ll ask just in case, but are you interested in anything other than magic books?"
"I’m afraid not."
"Hmph, I suppose not..."
As I thought, I was reaching the limit of what I could learn within the castle walls. If I stayed close to Albert, he’d occasionally take me to the shooting range, but even then, I couldn't move around too openly. If only there were some higher-level magic books somewhere...
"...Now that I think about it, there was that storehouse in the castle basement," Albert mused.
My ears practically twitched at the suggestion.
"I’ve heard the Underground Library is filled with sealed grimoires—books so dangerous they've been forbidden from use. Apparently, many are forbidden tomes, and one supposedly even seals away a majin that nearly destroyed the kingdom ages ago."
A grimoire is a type of magic tool where the mana is woven directly into the book itself, allowing anyone to produce its effect. Because their creation requires an immense amount of time and advanced magical knowledge, they are infinitely more valuable than standard magic books. Even those containing beginner magic rarely appear on the open market; the castle only has a few, so I’d never had the chance to study one in detail.
The particularly powerful ones are classified as forbidden tomes and kept under heavy guard, reserved only for national emergencies. I’d heard that a forbidden tome was used during a massive war once; it summoned a storm of lightning that wiped out the enemy army in a single moment. The downside was that the recoil caused the caster to age over fifty years instantly.
I couldn't even begin to imagine what kind of spell formula would be needed to seal away a majin. I was incredibly curious.
"When I was little, my wet nurse used to threaten me with it," Albert laughed. "She’d say, 'Bad children will be eaten by the majin sealed in the forbidden tome.' Ha-ha-ha."
Now that he mentioned it, I had felt an unnaturally strong barrier deployed beneath the castle. I’d assumed it was just a vault for important state documents and hadn't paid it much mind, but this changed everything. I was suddenly vibrating with excitement.
"Albert-niisan, could you tell me more about that?!"
"Whoa there, Lloyd. Your eyes are practically glowing. You aren’t planning on sneaking in, are you?"
He’d hit the nail on the head so quickly it made me flinch, but I forced a smile and tried to look innocent.
"N-now, now... why would I ever do that, Albert-niisan?"
"Your smile is looking a little stiff there..."
"I-is it? This is just my face. A-ha... a-ha-ha-ha..."
I tried to play it off, but my acting was clearly failing me. Agitation made every movement feel awkward. Albert stared at me for a long moment before his expression finally softened.
"...Well, I suppose it doesn't matter. The basement is protected by a barrier woven by ten of the castle's mages working together. It's impossible to slip inside unnoticed. Even I need special permission just to reach the entrance."
"Oh! So you've been inside, Albert-niisan?"
"Yes, though only as far as the door. I couldn't bring myself to go any further. The whirlpool of ominous mana emanating from within... I get chills just thinking about it. It certainly makes the story of a majin being sealed in a forbidden tome easy to believe."
Albert shuddered, his face turning a shade paler. He wasn't acting; he was genuinely afraid.
"Anyway, that's the gist of it. Lloyd, you're a bit eccentric, but you aren't a reckless child. I’m sure there's no way you'd actually go..."
"Yes, of course! There's no way I'd go!"
I nodded emphatically, giving my brother the answer he wanted to hear.