I Picked Up a Witch from a Novel

Chapter 27.

The world runs on money.

That was true in the modern capitalist era, and it was no different in the medieval-like world of the novel.

Since I was still a child—not legally an adult yet—my essential needs, like eating and sleeping, were fully taken care of by my parents.

But when it came to what *I* wanted, I had to nervously pay for it with my own trembling hands.

It was the case with food and medicine for the woman, and the same went for robes or necklaces.

So, I naturally assumed that the various books I needed for my journey would also require me to shell out a hefty price.

“… No, my money.”

This was content that had never been mentioned in the novel.

“Already bought five of them… you bastards…”

In the eyes of commoners, books were considered a kind of luxury item.

It wasn’t until now that I realized the Empire’s Civic Library was right there in front of me.

Of course, this was the library for citizens, but it wasn’t just open to anyone.

The nobles or the royal family, whose status itself served as a free pass, could stroll in effortlessly with just a nod.

However, commoners were required to fill out documents that spanned around five pages.

Moreover, since I wasn’t yet an adult, I wasn’t even eligible for that process and needed my legal guardian to come along, fill out the paperwork, and stamp it.

So, I dragged my mom, who was lounging around at home, over here.

“Haaam… our son doesn’t seem to be much of a filial child in many ways. So, all I have to do is sign these papers?”

“Yes, since I’ve already written out most of the content, you just need to sign and stamp it.”

Maybe it was because I dragged her out while she was still half-asleep, but my mom yawned incessantly and squinted as she looked at the documents.

“If you’ve already done all of it, why didn’t you just bring it home and let me sign and stamp it there?”

“Unfortunately, the librarian must confirm our relationship in person.”

There was no other way; if this process was any looser, dogs and cows would probably be wandering in and out.

Anyway, I couldn’t solve the problem on my own as a child.

Even though I believed my mind and body were mature enough, the definition of a child remained stubbornly based solely on age.

“Haaam… in that case, I have no choice. Ugh, this procedure’s so annoying… Alright, all done.”

“Thank you, Mom.”

With that, I took the signed documents from my mom and submitted them to the librarian sitting in front of us.

The librarian, looking just as tired as my mom, yawned—”Haaam”—then nodded and handed me a library pass.

And after all of that was over, my mom had to squeeze in one more comment:

“So, don’t go looking for scandalous books, okay?”

“… There’s no reason I would.”

“Isn’t fourteen an age where curiosity naturally arises?”

Fourteen was indeed the age when sexual curiosity could start, but not for me.

I had already mastered how to control such impulses from when I was much younger.

“Let’s just go already.”

“And don’t inconvenience that girl you work with either~”

“Ah, mom…”

“Hohoho! That’s my cue to leave!”

So let me make one thing clear: I’m not the kind of guy who gets amorous with a woman who’s not even an adult or a daughter he raised.

Anyway, I wandered around the library.

The space was so large that, besides me, the librarian, and a few other people, it felt almost empty.

There was no noise at all; only the soft rustling of pages turning occasionally reached my ears.

It was wider than I expected, and even with the books categorized, finding one specific book was quite difficult.

What I was looking for were relatively easier language books and books about the history of the principality, but the endless rows of books made it overwhelming.

“Evaz… this is ridiculous.”

At this rate, I’d be stuck searching for books for days.

So, with no other choice, I headed back toward the entrance where the librarian sat.

Even though it felt rude to bother someone who looked so exhausted, I approached the counter hesitantly.

“Um…”

“Yes, may I help you with something?”

The librarian had an extremely gaunt face partly hidden behind large, round glasses.

“I’m looking for specific books, but despite following the categories, I can’t figure out their locations…”

“Ahhh, if you’re a first-timer, that’s normal.”

However, the sunken eyes behind the glasses shone eerily, as if staring at a newcomer to a game server.

It was a little unsettling.

“T-therefore, I’d like to ask for your guidance…”

“If you tell me the books you’re looking for, I’ll help you find them. If you don’t know the titles, please give me the categories.”

“I’m looking for Elvish language books and books about the principality’s history.”

“In that case, let’s start with the Elvish language books.”

The librarian said this and then stood up to take the lead.

With slouched, exhausted shoulders and an oversized pair of glasses constantly sliding down his nose, he proceeded to explain.

“The Elvish language books are located in the G-201-13 to G-201-81 sections under the Language classification.”

“Uh?”

“Elvish language books, as you requested.”

He basically declared himself insane.

“Eh, well…”

“And the principality’s history books are found under the History classification, from B-10-3 to B-10-8.”

Unquestionably insane.

“Wait… do librarians have to memorize this kind of thing?”

“Of course not. There’s no need, but memorizing the books’ positions is fun for me.”

“… Ah, I see.”

“Here we are. On the third shelf of this bookcase, you’ll find what you’re looking for.”

This library for citizens—never mentioned in the novel—housed a rather eccentric librarian.

Anyway, whenever I had free time, I went to the library to read and borrow books as needed.

“Hello.”

“Yes?”

I greeted the librarian who was always at the counter, busily scribbling something. Then I headed to the category shelf she directed me to and pulled out a book.

The basics of Elvish language and its textual structure.

Unlike the random language books I had purchased earlier, these carefully explained the language step by step, starting from the equivalent of “A, B, C.”

Turns out that the expensive book I bought earlier was probably something only Elvish linguists would enjoy, as the librarian casually pointed out.

That bastard bookseller… didn’t he even know what he was selling?

So, I quietly read books in the peaceful library.

“Bern, El, Kair…”

I quietly murmured the pronunciations from the books.

While it might seem like talking in the library would be rude, I was given permission to practice since language studies required verbal repetition.

Especially since there were hardly any people around anyway.

“Hmm, is that right?”

“Please refrain from unnecessary conversations in the library.”

For some reason, this librarian, who wasn’t a problem in my world, seemed way too odd.

This way, my daily routine continued.

Rising early every morning, I went to the gym where I still couldn’t defeat bald-muscle-guy, screaming for three whole hours.

Then, after a quick breakfast, I headed to Ilena’s grocery store.

There was always a woman, head slightly peeking out, waiting for me to arrive right on time.

When I finally reached the store, she’d say, “Welcome! Ilena’s Groceries,” followed by a warm smile.

After finishing work at the store, I immediately went to the library.

“Hello.”

“Yes, you’re quite diligent.”

The library was always serene.

Today, there were only two people in the entire library: me and the librarian, who was sitting at the counter, intently writing on a piece of paper.

In truth, while it was said to be a library for citizens, most of the empire’s subjects were too busy with their daily lives.

Even among those who were interested in books, nearly half couldn’t read.

People like me, who intentionally made time to visit the library, were pretty rare.

So, perhaps the novel skipped over this place for similar reasons—it was just too quiet and lacked drama.

And today, I asked her for something different.

“Um… librarian.”

“Yes, what is it?”

It was still related to my travels, but—

“Um… are there any research or historical books about light?”

“—”

This was part of my effort to say goodbye to the woman in silver light without any sadness.

The librarian, whose eyes were always hollow before, now turned fully toward me, sharp and focused.

“Perhaps we don’t have them here?”

“Books about silver light are classified as banned books in the empire, as well as across the continent’s 72 countries.”

That was information I had only just learned.

Since the novel often mentioned researchers’ notes, I assumed it was fine.

“Ah… so there aren’t any in any library?”

“Simply possessing such books could get you penalized under imperial law.”

Based on her words, it seemed it’d be nearly impossible to get my hands on those books.

Still…

“They are here.”

She continued to look at me and said that.

Her eyes shimmered with what could only be described as fragments of madness.

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