WTAW 28

Chapter 28

Secret Reading in the Basement

Since then, Yellow-chan is always on my shoulder. I meet the other spirits mainly in the greenhouse, but I can also ask Yellow-chan to call them for me. It seems no one but me can see her here at Count Margan’s secondary residence. My brother Urisa understands the existence of spirits, so he doesn’t react even if I talk with them in my room, but Alisa gives me weird looks. She might think I’m some lonely guy who likes talking to himself…

Anyway, I asked the little spirits their names since it’s hard to call them, but they said they don’t have any. So for now, I’m using color-based nicknames. When I asked if I could give them proper names, they said:

“For now… it’s not allowed.”

I later learned why.
I also asked them to call me Shunsuke, but again:

“That’s not allowed.”

But “Prince” feels so awkward…
Well, no one else can hear them anyway, so I’ll just put up with it.

Now, back to the story—today is the class where we work on our assignments in the library.

After seeing His Highness off toward the fire-attribute section of the library, I went down the stairs to the basement at the professor’s prompting. The professor followed behind me.

One floor down, there was a fairly large hall supported by six pillars, with shelves lining the walls.

“These are mostly books on non-attribute magic and safe combination-magic with multiple attributes,” the professor explained.

I wondered if His Highness Seilard, who has all five attributes, would eventually come here too.

Between two shelves were two grand doors, engraved with complex patterns and letters, similar to the ones at the church—or temple—in Polygon Town. They weren’t very tall; maybe three meters?
I can read these letters now:

〈The key to this door lies within you. If you possess it, the door shall open.〉

I can read it, but don’t fully understand it. So it isn’t a normal key. What criteria does it use?

“Shunsuke, you should be able to open it. Try placing your hand on the door.”

“Okay,” I said—but Yellow-chan flapped her wings and flew ahead.

“I’ll open it for you~”

She vanished in front of the door.

Today Yellow-chan is wearing a two-piece skirt outfit. Her belly shows!

The patterns on the door lit up beautifully, and the doors opened toward me like an automatic door. Despite being so massive, they opened without a sound.

Inside, Yellow-chan was stuck to the wall.

“Prince, go ahead~”

Her tiny hands doing the please enter gesture were adorable.

“Ho ho ho! Impressive indeed, to open it without even touching it,” the professor said.

It must have looked like the doors simply opened on their own. Perhaps spirit magic aptitude is needed to open them?

“Well then, go do your assignment properly.”

“Yes, sir.”

The basement of the library actually contains an enormous archive—another library. It holds advanced versions of the categories from basement level one, including mixed-attribute magic, non-attribute magic, and rare magical skill research. Some books even have locks on them.

I took one locked book from the shelf.

〈Methods of Mass Slaughter〉

When I touched the key, a man’s voice echoed in my mind:

“You have the qualification to read this book. Will you read it to destroy the world? Or to bring peace to humanity?”

Scary! So I am qualified to read such a horrifying book?
Sorry, but I’m definitely not reading this right now!

I hurriedly put it back.

There were also models and three-dimensional magical constructs on display.

The total space was equivalent to six buildings, extending down four basement floors. Even the supporting pillars were built as bookshelves, stuffed full of books. Many outstanding mages must have worked together to compile all this.

Apparently, the entrance automatically checks whether you have the required qualifications or skills—some not even recognized in this world yet—and grants entry based on that.

Spirit magic was one of the recognized skills. Good.

After passing through the doors, a spiral staircase descended. I went down, occasionally stepping into rooms on each level to look at the shelves and displays—without taking anything yet.

Then, right before reaching the lowest floor from B3, I found a book.

It had nothing to do with magic, but was exactly what I needed right now—perfect timing.

〈Organizing and Tidying Techniques Even a Monkey Can Understand〉

I took it to the lowest floor.

Yellow-chan had told me:

“The deepest floor is where you read books.”

There were no desks or chairs, just a vast open space.
At the entrance, a sign said:

〈No shoes allowed〉

Great! I happily took off my shoes—then my socks—and stuffed the socks into the shoes. A raised floor spread out ahead. Felt familiar.

When I stepped barefoot onto it, the floor sank softly around my feet. Like a cushioned mat—similar to those soft play areas in big shopping malls. A safe floor where little kids like me wouldn’t get hurt even if we fell. The surface felt like vinyl or a drumhead.

Around the cushioned area was a forest. The ceiling showed a blue sky. Turning back, only the entrance area looked like a Japanese house entryway where I removed my shoes. The lighting seemed perfect for reading, with sunbeams shining pleasantly in places.

Maybe the room was expanded using spatial magic—or it might even be a dungeon. Totally fantasy.

I walked toward the center, shoes in one hand (socks stuffed in), book in my other arm.

The floor felt amazing under my feet.

“Is this heaven?”

“It’s a reading room,” Yellow-chan corrected.

“Right… better read fast or I won’t finish my assignment.”

Of course, if you’re going to read here, you lie down! Prone or on your back—either works.

I set my shoes (soles up) nearby.

First I lay on my back and closed my eyes.

Inside me, I could feel everything I absorbed yesterday swirling around. It felt more settled than when I collapsed in the greenhouse.

Yesterday, the five spirits of five colors downloaded—well, “input”—their magic knowledge into me all at once.

It was like I’d just bought a new computer that came with everything pre-installed.

Now it was time for the tutorial phase, learning to actually use it.

And I also had things pre-installed in me from before.

Yeah, comparing myself to a computer really works here.

I rolled onto my stomach and opened Even a Monkey Can Understand…
The professor had lent me this series before; the illustrations make it easy to read, though the title is a bit insulting.

Reading on my stomach, I kicked my bare feet gently in the air.

Hmm hmm… yep.
As expected.

Basically:
– Sort things into folders,
– Put frequently used items in upper folders,
– Make a list of what is where—like a table of contents or an index.

And if I can make a search function… oh, I can.

This is just like how I organize Mom’s waist pouch.

With eyes closed, I focused inward.

Concentrate… concentrate…

Oh, I can compress things I won’t use.
“Methods of Mass Slaughter”? Trash!
Wait—that book’s already installed inside me?! Terrifying.

When I opened my eyes, I could still see the interface—like the screen of my waist pouch. It even had an icon labeled 〈Waist Pouch〉.

Whoa, I can switch screens and arrange things. Cool. This is so convenient. Using imaginary finger controls feels easier—just like a smartphone or tablet.

Since magic works on imagination, using the computer metaphor is perfect for me.

My phone vibrated in silent mode—five minutes until the class-ending bell. I’d set the alarm for that.

“Yellow-chan, what happens to the door lock if we leave from here?”

“Don’t worry. Bad people can’t come in.”

“True. Alright then…”

I chose a skill from my built-in spatial abilities.

I sat cross-legged and placed my shoes between my legs.

“Yellow-chan, we’re going to warp back to the ground floor.”

“Okay!”
She crawled into one of my shoes.

“Is it smelly in there?”

“Prince doesn’t smell.”

Well, okay then…

“Here we go.”

I closed my eyes and activated spatial magic.

“Prince, we’re out~!”

The smell of the air changed. I did it! From B4 straight to B1 without stairs!

When I opened my eyes, I was sitting barefoot at the bottom of the stairs to the ground floor. The sky was visible above.

“Ho ho ho! Looks like it worked,” the professor greeted me.

“Yes!”

Teleportation! Combined with this morning’s floating-slide movement, I now had two fast travel methods.

“Shunsuke, what did you choose for your report? Mine is ‘On the Possibilities of Fire Magic.’”

His Highness crouched in front of me.
We’re supposed to write a report based on what we viewed in the library.

“Uh… I only managed to browse. I’ll do the homework later.”

Then I realized—my hand was still holding the monkey book.

“Oh crap! I forgot to return it.”

“There’s no time,” His Highness warned.

Running back to B4 would be annoying… and there were other students around.

Just then, my guardian angel—no, guardian spirit—intervened!

“Prince, I’ll return it for you!”

Yellow-chan is the best friend ever.

I placed the book on my left palm and spoke silently.

“When I signal, please.”

“Leave it to me.”

I snapped my right fingers dramatically—like casting a spell.

Snap.

“The book disappeared! What did you do?!” His Highness demanded.

“A magic I learned earlier.”

“Teleporting objects?”

“Something like that.”

Not just teleportation—I can also ask spirits to deliver things.

“I’m back. I put it away.”

“Thanks.”

“Like this, for example,” I said, placing a pouch of five cookies on my palm.

“Snacks for everyone.”

“Yaaay! Thank you!” came the tiny voices—

Snap.

“It disappeared again.”

“It feels more like a magic trick than magic, right?”

“Well, it doesn’t seem like a powerful attack spell.”

“Hehe. Please show me your report later too, Your Highness.”

The deadline is tomorrow.

“Yeah, I’d like you to check the writing style.”

“Sure. Let’s go to a café after class.”

Class ended, and we decided to have tea together.

My report? Definitely not on spatial magic.
The book I read was Organizing and Tidying Techniques Even a Monkey Can Understand.
So my report is about organizing and tidying up.

A lot of those basement books had titles you definitely can’t show in public, after all.