Jake hesitated for a moment, his eyes glancing around the battered structure as if appraising it for the first time in years.
"This house is… well, a little broken, as you can see. It's one of the casualties from the war that happened two centuries back. Since then, our academy has been in decline. These once majestic buildings—now they're reduced to this state. I hope you don't mind it."
Ethan shook his head, smiling with a genuine sense of relief. "As long as I have my own private space, I honestly don't care where I live. This dormitory is perfect for me."
The familiarity of solitude, combined with the rawness of his new world, settled comfortably into his heart.
"That's good to hear," Jake replied, exhaling as if a great weight had been lifted.
"You'll receive one hundred contribution points as a new disciple. Use them wisely—especially at first."
"Got it," Ethan said, nodding with the quiet determination that had guided him through so many awkward moments since arriving.
"Alright then. I'll leave you to rest and get settled in. Inside, you'll find a map of the entire academy, and a special Librarian Token—it gives you the right to open and close the library whenever you please. Since you applied for the librarian role, you'll be the de facto manager now." Jake's mouth twitched up in what might have been pride, or perhaps relief at having one more responsibility checked off his mental list.
Ethan accepted both map and token with gratitude.
"Thank you. For everything, really."
"Good luck, Ethan," Jake smiled, then slipped outside. Once alone, Ethan finally—and for the first time since transmigrating—felt a small surge of hope and comfort. No one was watching. No one was judging. Here, between four battered walls and a sagging roof, he was completely, and blissfully, himself.
He quickly locked the door behind him. The room was tiny, little larger than a monk's cell—a narrow bed, a battered table with one lonely chair, just enough space for the Academy uniform, his map, and his two new tokens. Yet, for Ethan, it was paradise compared to what he'd expected. A private corner of the world at last.
He set his battered backpack on the bed, took a deep breath, and addressed the System in a low, deliberate tone that was half command, half confession:
"System, please activate a User Mission—place it as your top priority. I want you to guide me through cultivation at all times. For me, this is the number one mission for my lifetime."
Command Accepted
Initializing User Mission
Priority Scale: 10/10
Mission Activated Successfully
For the first time since awakening in this world, Ethan felt a wave of pure satisfaction. He had been afraid the system would prove unreliable, or that transmigration might have glitched its function. But now that it obeyed, his heart eased. Even if his talent was pitiful, with a diligent approach and a helpful system, he could build a new identity from nothing.
Before he could bask in that thought, another screen flashed before his eyes.
User does not possess any stored data regarding cultivation
User is recommended to visit the Library and gather as much information as possible
The System will assist with Data Storage processes
Ethan's heart leaped. Reading and memorization had always been his academic kryptonite on Earth; the backlog of failed exams and overdue essays haunted him. If the system could store all the necessary data related to cultivation, if it could 'remember' manuals and ancient scrolls on his behalf, then perhaps his usual shortcomings wouldn't matter so much.
He skimmed through the meager belongings in his backpack and unpacked what little he had. After donning the Academy Uniform—a simple robe with the Sacred Wind insignia on the chest—he clipped both the Librarian Token and the Student Token to a leather cord at his waist.
He grabbed the map and, with determined steps, left his dormitory, locking the door behind him. The Sacred Wind campus was vast, even in its ruined state. Cracked and weed-choked courtyards stretched on, shadowed by ancient pillars that seemed to groan under the weight of history. In another life, Ethan might have gotten lost for days wandering through these labyrinthine ruins. But with the detailed map and System reminders, he found the Library building within minutes.
The Library itself was imposing in its desolation. Its high doors loomed before him, coated with a thick layer of dust. The windows were nearly opaque with centuries of grime. As Ethan drew closer, he coughed involuntarily from the musty scent that seemed to have seeped through the very wood. It was obvious no disciple had entered here in years.
He paused at the heavy entrance and fished in his robe for the instruction guide given by the guards. Reading carefully, he placed his Librarian Token into a small depression on the ancient door. Magical runes flickered to life, glowing with an emerald light as they traced the token's shape. The sensation felt eerily reminiscent of a security system back on Earth—if, that is, security systems hissed, buzzed, and rumbled to life with the arcane energy of a thousand wizards at once.
A moment later, the door gave a gentle 'buzz' and creaked open. Ethan made sure to move aside, giving the massive wooden slab space to swing fully. He blinked as sunlight streamed briefly into the chamber… and then, as quickly as it opened, the glow faded and all was shadow once again.
Inside, the air was thick—soft with dust, alive with spiderwebs that trailed from shelves to ceiling like the banners of long-lost battles. The odor was the unmistakable combination of mold, ink, and timeless solitude. Every step kicked up puffs of gray; Ethan could feel the must clinging to his uniform, itching his nose. Before he could recover, his system screen dinged with a new alert.
Quest Activated
Quest Name: A True Librarian
Quest Rank: F
Description: Since the attack on the Academy 200 years ago, the Library has been closed. With the decline in student and staff quality, its use was forgotten and doors remained shut.
Mission: Fulfill the duties of a Librarian. Clean the entire Library and restore it to its former beauty.
Completion Rate: 0%
For a moment, Ethan was speechless. Of all possible quests, this one felt both trivial and daunting. Cleaning a forgotten archive? It wasn't the grand, heroic labor of cultivation, but it was something he could do. And if he was right, an easy system quest would come with some much-needed rewards—attribute points, perhaps, or other bonuses for his frail mortal body.
Biting back a laugh, Ethan left the Library for a moment to the Administration Block, where brooms, dusters, and simple cleaning supplies were kept. Some nearby disciples gave him odd looks as he borrowed a broom—why would the newest, weakest disciple jump straight to cleaning duty? But Ethan ignored the curiosity. The idea of starting somewhere entirely at the bottom didn't faze him. In many ways, it was comforting to be underestimated.
With broom in hand, Ethan returned and plunged into work. The task proved grueling. Dust coated every shelf and tome. Cobwebs hung from the rafters and pillars like a winter frost, and every few minutes a startled rodent would dash between the rows or a long-slumbering moth would flutter up around his face. Still, the rhythmic scrape and sweep, the gentle hush of dust falling away from polished wood, gave him a strange sense of accomplishment.
Hours passed. His arms ached. Sweat dripped down his brow, stinging his eyes. Yet, even as he struggled, the System quietly updated his progress in the corner of his vision—a small bar slowly inching from 0% towards completion. It kept him motivated: just a bit further, a little longer.
By twilight, Ethan was not quite halfway done, but he paused only to wipe his hands and rest. He knew that hidden rewards awaited him. If a new beginning in the cultivation world meant learning perseverance, then cleaning this library might be the best trial of all.
He glanced around at the vast, slowly brightening rows of books and scrolls, and smiled—a true librarian, at last.