SB: Chapter 239 – The Restricted Section (Patreon)

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“Welcome Justin. I am Librarian Hearthstone,” the older woman said with a smile.

“Greetings. I was told that this is the restricted section of the College?” I asked and she nodded.

“It is rare we get someone so young who is allowed access,” she said as she slowly stood up from behind her desk. “Since this is your first time I will give you a tour. It isn’t just the restricted section, but the full library. There is a public library, as you know, which is where publicly available books are published and can be purchased. But everything that is written is stored here in the full library of the College,” she said.

She went over to a pair of large doors. Right now we weren’t under the main plaza and tower, but off to one side. The building above was the main guard building for the College. “Just use the ID plate you have from the College and place it here. You are only allowed to register yourself. No guests,” she said. I copied her and put my metal plate down on a runic array. The two large doors swung open.

“You stand guard outside?” I asked.

“Yes. Just as you had to leave all spatial items outside this area at the guard station above, I ensure no one smuggles a book or other item out of the library.” As the doors fully opened, the space was massive, with several bookshelves packed to the brim. There had to be thousands of books.

“So many. How do you sort them all?” I asked.

“By subject. Few individuals who have access like to search the actual records and books. Most prefer to look up a condensed research study instead. Off to the side there is a book that lists the full list of all research papers you can pay for access to and their price,” she said gesturing at side tables.

“Organized by research subject. It is the fastest way to get information, but there are costs of course. Our Professors and Researchers don’t work for free,” she explained and I nodded at this. “As for the books, you have personal recollections sorted by age and background, which is the largest section, the histories sorted by age, finally skill books by general skill category. Oh, there is a fairy tale section, or books that are of questionable nature. Stuff that might have some truth but are outlandish,” she explained while I looked at the shelves.

“They all look quite new,” I said.

“Of course. These aren’t the originals, which are safely stored away. They are copies, each with a specific place on their shelf, in their original language as well,” she said proudly.

“What about restricted skills like soul skills, healing skills, and rituals?” I asked.

“The books we have recovered are in place in their respective area. The only books that aren’t present are the Dean’s collection. I was informed of a rare addition to that list, which is why you are being given access to the full library before becoming a legend,” she said.

“And the Dean’s List?” I asked.

“It is with the list of research studies you can purchase access to. These are books of such a profound nature that even as part of the restricted portion of the College, there is another level of restriction,” she said and led me over to the large tome listing them all out. She opened the tome up and then gestured at a new entry.

Demonic Cultural Book – By Demon MandaeismRecovered by Justin Burnstock, Year 1,921 Eldarin CalendarCost: 10 PlatinumA book written by a demon describing how demons come into being and a portion of their history from a demon’s perspective on the beastkin continent.

That really was expensive, but I had sold it for quite a bit. The College was probably trying to recoup costs. I had no doubt someone would be willing to pay this price out of sheer curiosity.

“Anyone can read it?” I asked.

“If they can pay the price. Or the Dean might pass on specific insights to certain research projects. Nothing on the Dean’s list is cheap. Each book is a treasure,” Librarian Hearthstone answered.

Translated Seraphim Poetry Book – By Solar InspirationRecovered by Humprey Ser-Or, Estimated Year 3,200 Pre-Eldarin CalendarCost: 1 PlatinumA collection of transcribed poems by the Seraphim Solar Inspiration. The provenance of the poems and book have been confirmed, but its age remains only an estimate.

The Necronomicon – By Supreme Legend Blackest Abyss?Recovered by Terren Halflock, Estimated Year 2,290 Pre-Eldarin CalendarCost: 2,000 PlatinumA book detailing creating, controlling, commanding, undead through a range of skills, runes, and rituals. No author is directly attributed to the book, but it is highly likely to have been written by the creator of the Dark Library and the first leader of the Dark Cabal.

The Truth Of The Fall Of The Eldarin Empire – By The MathemancerGifted by Supreme Legend The Mathemancer, Year 857 Eldarin CalendarCost: 10 PlatinumA first hand record describing what ultimately happened at the end of the Eldarin Empire from a personal perspective. Detailing what happened to the Eternal Emperor and his court at that time. No midgets were involved.

Legacy Of Supreme Legend Azarin – By AzarinRecovered by Jones Fer, Year 187 Pre-Eldarin CalendarCost: 100 PlatinumRecovered from inside the dungeon by renowned treasure hunter Jones Fer from a tomb containing the personal account, skill list, and thoughts of the first known supreme legend, dating to the start of the Low Vostner Era approximately 8,000 Pre-Eldarin Calendar. There is a focus on healing and survival skills, including Teleport.

Book Of The Beast – By The Beast? By A Seraphim? + Annotations By Jones FerRecovered by Jones Fer, Year 195 Pre-Eldarin CalendarCost: 100 PlatinumRecovered from inside the dungeon by renowned treasure hunter Jones Fer from a massive gravesite. The origin of the book is unknown and was written in runic Low Vostner script, but signs at the gravesite point to it being written by a dying Seraphim. A book of notes of the site by Jones Fer has been included with this book. The book describes the super monster only referenced as The Beast and the battle to take it down.

Book Of Prophecy – By Seer EternityRecovered by The Mathemancer, Year 482 Eldarin CalendarCost: 500 PlatinumA book detailing the Tier 6 skill Directed Prophecy and its supporting skills. While unlikely that anyone will ever reach such a skill, it is the foremost book on divination skills and knowledge of divination that I (The Mathemancer) have encountered. Seer Eternity was an eccentric woman and legend who roamed the dungeon, who was often delusional or referencing things that had not occurred. Her skills were real however and quite dangerous along with the support skills listed.

Cursed Book – By UnknownRecovered by The Mathemancer, Year 127 Eldarin CalendarCost: 1 PlatinumA book detailing countless curse skills. The book itself is cursed to prevent knowledge inside of it being spread outside of the book itself. If one reads this book they become cursed. Only by being cursed can the text of the book be read, which details over 20 curse skills.

Looking at the list of books, each of them was impressive in their own way. “Why are some dates so far in the past?” I asked.

“They were donated to the College or the College purchased them from the descendants of the individual who originally found the books. And the sellers didn’t want to be named, hence attributing their recovery to the initial person who found those books who could be determined with a skill,” the Librarian explained.

“Why is Seraphim poetry restricted?” I asked.

“Its rarity. It is the only book of writing by the Seraphim that is known. Similar to the demonic book you recovered. The origin of the text is what makes it special. The remaining books are placed here for their knowledge of specific skills or of history,” she explained.

I couldn’t help but chuckle in my mind at the reference to the midget at the end of the Eldarin Empire. I had no doubt that some legends who had listened to the same play I had, had paid to read that book just to answer that question.

It made me regret that I hadn’t returned in time to speak with my father. I had countless questions for him that had been building up over the years. Now he had completely disappeared, and his Reforged Eldarin Empire had fallen apart into factions and infighting.

“I will have to think about purchasing access to one of these books. For now, I will want to look through the list of research papers and skills,” I said.

“Of course, take your time. If you want to purchase access to one of these books or research papers, feel free to let me know. You may not write anything down while in the library or take anything out, but you are welcome to stay here as much as you desire,” she said.

“I guess I will start browsing then. Thank you for explaining things,” I replied.

“Of course. If you have a question, you are free to ask me at any time. If I am not present, another librarian will be,” she said and I nodded at this. She then left and I looked at the hundreds of bookshelves.

No wonder why there were dedicated researchers that adventurers would pay. Trying to find some specific piece of information in this mess would be a nightmare. “Welcome,” a middle aged man said and I turned to fully face him. “I am Researcher Hawkeyes.”

“Justin Burnstock,” I replied and he offered his hand. I shook it and he smiled.

“Not many people know of that method of greeting from the Vostner time period. Quite impressive and speaks well of your knowledge focused skills,” he replied.

“Thank you for the compliment, what can I do for you?” I asked politely back.

“I perform research. If you have a question, I can assist for a price. Most adventurers don’t want to spend hours searching for the piece of information that they desire. I can easily locate the books and research studies that contain the information you desire,” he explained.

“The Dark Cabal?” I asked.

“A popular topic in the last decade. There is a comprehensive research paper I can point you to for a gold. It details their history and known actions and possible goals,” he explained.

“And the Legend Xanatos?” I asked and he shook his head.

“This is historical knowledge. If you want information about individuals still alive, it will be a challenge beyond what is publicly known. You would be better paying off an information broker. But for historical stuff and esoteric skills, even information brokers come to me,” he replied.

“The College allows this?” I asked.

“Of course. Selling information is a big business. I saw your name for the recovery of a book that has been placed on the Dean’s List. An incredible achievement. So, what other questions do you have?” he asked.

“Let me think on it for a while. I will be at the College for a year. But here is a gold. Might as well start reading about the Dark Cabal,” I said and handed over the coin. He directed me to the tome containing the list of research studies and directed me to a specific one, The History and Actions of the Dark Cabal. The cost was 10 gold.

Far cheaper than the books on the Dean’s List, but still expensive. When the research paper was written was also listed. I noted that it had been written just after the College had ascended. Clearly the author was trying to capitalize on renewed interest in the Dark Cabal.

If I had to look for it myself, it would have taken hours of frustration with the thousands of research papers listed. I might have realized when it was likely to have been written, but I was paying for convenience, which was fine.

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