Chapter 40: Pure Black

As things stood, Ai’er had to admit one thing —

As it turned out, Harry Potter was… was a documentary O.o?!

Ai’er’s eyes went wide, her pale gold pupils filled with longing for the wonder before her.

The first time Ai’er had ever been shocked by a bookshelf was back when she was in university.

An entire building was filled with books — books covering the sky and the earth, a mountain and sea of books!

Those bookshelves were like the walls of a labyrinth; if you went in, you definitely wouldn’t be coming out for a good long while!

But what about this?

Bookshelves weren’t just flying in the sky.

The ceiling, the walls, and everything else seemed as if gravity had been inverted. Bookshelves sprouted vertically from all four directions, creating a look that resembled a ring-shaped space station from a sci-fi novel.

“This is… magic…”

The moment her voice fell, a book flapping translucent wings flew over to Ai’er.

“This is a Guide Book. If there’s a book you’d like to read, Miss Ai’er, you can tell it directly.”

As if to agree with Miss Tina’s statement, the Guide Book fluttered back and forth a few times, appearing to nod.

‘Whoa, is it really this high-end?’

But in that instant, Ai’er suddenly thought of her previous memories regarding the Forbidden Books.

‘If I can just ask… wait, how does this book confirm if a visitor is authorized to enter the library?’

‘If just anyone could walk in, what would be the point of setting aside Forbidden Books?’

“Is Miss Ai’er thinking about the identity and permissions of the borrowers?”

The moment Tina’s voice rang out, Ai’er immediately jumped several meters away. Like a white cat with its fur standing on end, she stared at Tina warily.

‘System, consume 1 System Point. I want to know this person’s background!’

**[Command confirmed.]**

**[Christina Saint, one of the three High Holy Maidens placed in the Imperial Capital by the White God Holy Church, ranking first among the three.]**

**[Christina’s most prominent feature is her eyes.]**

**[These eyes possess the ability to see the nature of mana and are known as the Gem Blessed by the White God.]**

‘See the nature of mana? System, are you sure it’s not mind-reading?!’

“Miss Ai’er, what’s wrong? Why did you suddenly hide so far away?”

Though she acted as if she were ignorant, the expression in Tina’s eyes — that look of wanting to tease something cute — could no longer be hidden.

**[As a side note: according to rumors, this Saintess is always very friendly toward cute girls.]**

**[The kind of friendly that is a bit excessive.]**

**[There are even rumors that whenever girls who have spent time with this Saintess talk about Christina, their eyes turn into hearts while they say things like “Lady Sister~” or the like.]**

‘Oh my god… I’m doomed O.O…’

For every step Tina took toward Ai’er, Ai’er took a step back.

“You-you-you! Don’t come any closer!”

“Miss Ai’er? Is something the matter?”

Tina did not stop her pace. Coupled with the fact that she was naturally taller and more slender than Ai’er, the distance between the two was constantly shrinking.

“If you come any closer! I—I’m going to scream!

He—mmph! Mmph-mmph!”

A red book flew over and covered Ai’er’s mouth.

“Miss Ai’er, you mustn’t be loud in the library.”

Tina smiled, cornering Ai’er.

At this moment, Ai’er had no retreat and no options, like a lamb waiting to be slaughtered.

**[Current remaining System Points: 9 points.]**

Ai’er was a Transmigration host with a System. Even if the moment truly came where she was going to be treated this way or that by this Saintess, Ai’er would never give up her resistance.

Yes, this was a library, so what was the most effective way to create chaos?

Ai’er remembered what the System had said a while ago —

**[Exchanging for a Beginner Magic Stone Ring requires 7 System Points…]**

**[The exchange for a Beginner Magic Stone Ring has been completed; an Intermediate Magic Stone Ring requires 21 System Points…]**

‘Does this mean that for every level a redeemed item goes up, the required points are multiplied by three?’

‘System, how many System Points does Intermediate Fire Magic cost?’

**[9 points.]**

**[However, the System must remind the Host: if the Host fails to leave any System Points by the afternoon of the day after tomorrow, you will be forcibly — ]**

‘I know!’

‘But compared to betraying Elena, what does it matter if my System Points are exhausted?’

‘System… after I go back to that side, is there still a way to obtain System Points?’

**[…Yes.]**

**[But it is extremely difficult.]**

‘Fine.’

‘Knowing that is enough.’

‘Even if this is just a parallel world, and even if I’m destined to be separated from Elena when my Lifespan runs out…’

‘I want to witness Elena’s story to the very end!’

‘So come at me, High Holy Maiden Christina!’

‘No matter what you do… I won’t…’

‘I won’t give up QAQ!!’

“Pfft.”

Watching the silver-haired girl’s body tremble, Tina couldn’t help but let out a laugh. She gently removed the red book covering Ai’er’s mouth.

“Rest assured, I won’t do anything to Miss Ai’er right now. I promise you in the name of the White God.”

After whispering in Ai’er’s ear, Tina turned around with a smile.

“By the way, was Miss Ai’er curious about how I knew your thoughts?

It’s because my eyes can see the nature of mana. And Miss Ai’er’s mana is very, very pure; I can’t see a single impurity in it.

So, as long as there’s a slight emotional fluctuation, I can generally see it~ That’s how I guessed what Miss Ai’er was thinking.”

At this moment, Ai’er only felt that Tina’s smile was a bit creepy.

But, since the other person couldn’t actually read her mind and was only relying on guesses…

“Oh, right. Weren’t you curious about the identity and permissions of the borrowers? It’s actually quite simple.”

As Tina spoke, she pulled out a white card.

“When you enter the library doors, the magic inscribed on the doorframe detects the inscription on this card. The inscription includes the borrower’s identity, the level of books they can access, and other information.

And the one Miss Ai’er is using this time is actually my card.

Although the permission level isn’t as high as Miss Elena’s, you can freely borrow any books except for the Forbidden Books. I’ll leave this card in your care for now, Miss Ai’er.”

With that, Tina turned back with a smile and handed the card to Ai’er.

A moment later, the Guide Book that had been flapping its wings flew back and spread its pages open in front of Ai’er.

“Eh? You’re just giving this card to me O.o? Miss Tina, you — eh? Where’d she go?”

After taking the card, in just the brief moment she had been distracted, the Saintess had already vanished.

‘What exactly was her goal in approaching me…?’

‘Whatever, finishing the mission is what’s important.’

Ai’er tucked the card away and looked at the section the Guide Book had opened to.

—

Not far away.

Having cast an invisibility spell, Tina was observing Ai’er with great interest.

“Miss Ai’er, the nature of your mana is indeed very pure…”

As a Saintess, Tina had seen far too many people with her eyes.

People came in all shapes and sizes, with a thousand different faces.

But someone like this silver-haired girl — someone like Ai’er — was a first for Tina.

“Mana without a single impurity…”

Even Tina herself, who had dedicated everything to the White God, and even as a High Holy Maiden, she could not possess such pure mana.

But —

“Mana attributes display five colors based on their characteristics, and for the Holy Sons and Maidens who possess all-attribute mana, their mana generally appears white.

But Miss Ai’er —

Your mana is pure black.”