After watching Kvedo and Erich leave, Fullen—still unfamiliar with the Trier National Library—decided he should first get a general sense of each floor before deciding what to read. Only then could he form a proper study plan.
As he reached an empty table on the seventh floor and sat down, a familiar feeling washed over him. For a moment, Fullen almost felt as though he had returned to his university days on Earth—those days when he visited the library not to study, but to read domestic and foreign novels. His roommates had always found it baffling that someone who loved going to the library so much had such mediocre grades.
Fullen scoffed inwardly at himself for reminiscing and shifted his attention back to the present:Which books did he need?
For roleplaying a Trick Master (Sequence 8), the most helpful books were undoubtedly those related to magic.Unfortunately, the sixth floor only held a pitiful handful of such books, most of which focused on the techniques of Magicians and the details of magic performances.
Naturally, no Magician would write a book exposing—and offending—their entire profession. Even the most reputable magic books only introduced a few harmless tricks, but these tricks were notoriously difficult, often requiring years of practice or a borderline masochistic level of dedication. Anything more profound was deliberately omitted.
"Hm… I can read a portion and take notes on techniques that a Trick Master can reproduce. After advancing, these can help me join a circus. Oh, and I need to watch circus performances regularly, paying attention to Magicians."Fullen tapped the table unconsciously. When several annoyed readers looked his way, he immediately switched to tapping his forehead instead.
Next was the Astrologer (Sequence 7) role.To act this out, he needed a foundation in mysticism—and this could be divided into three parts:
His father's books at homeMuch of Martin Abraham's collection focused on divination, especially crystal and astrological divination, though other methods were also included.
Second floor — Theology, astrological subsectionThese books described the majesty of the gods through cosmic metaphors—"The gods are as distant as the stars, their grace boundless as the sea, their might as inescapable as a prison."
Third floor — Natural Sciences, astronomical observationAncient star charts drawn without telescopes, showing seasonal and annual stellar shifts.Modern galaxy maps created after the invention of telescopes.One macroscopic, one microscopic—both valuable.
Fullen wasn't completely confident in this deduction.His father had never left concrete instructions on "acting."Most people relied on time-consuming experiential roleplaying; eventually, the potion digested itself.
After Astrologer came Scribe (Sequence 6).A Scribe's acting method was simple in concept:
Record everything.Record Beyonder abilities, local customs, landscapes, observations—anything and everything encountered.
The most useful books were, therefore, the travelogues on the fifth floor.Travelogues were immensely popular in this era; many people found them more engaging than novels because they were rooted in reality. And reality, at times, was stranger than fiction.
As for recording Beyonder abilities, Fullen felt this part would be relatively easy for him.
Fullen clasped his hands and summarized aloud, eyes half-closed:
"In short, I need magic books from the sixth floor, astrological books from the theology section on the second floor, astronomy books from natural science on the third floor, travelogues from the fifth floor, and my father's mystical books at home. And I must visit a circus to watch magic performances firsthand."
"It's decided. Time is tight. If I procrastinate, I'll accomplish nothing."
He reflected bitterly on how, back in his university days, he often wanted to study but ended up spending most of his library hours reading novels instead. Well… novels were indeed far more entertaining.
Out of curiosity—and genuine interest—Fullen decided to start with the travelogues.These were closest to novels, and many were even more fascinating because they depicted real experiences. In this world, reality often outshone fiction.
The Trier National Library's travelogue section was well-organized, divided into categories:travelogues of Intis, Loen, Feysac, Fenebote, the Ocean, and even the South Continent. Some of these "travelogues" were so fantastical that they clearly belonged more in the novel category—but readers loved them all the same.
Fullen pulled out "Trier Travelogue" by Isais Bell, a Loenese author whose name he recognized.He flipped open the cover to examine the introduction and table of contents.
The book was written entirely like a novel—and seemed quite readable.
Isais Bell was one of Loen's most famous bestselling authors.Readers of this era adored travelogue-style prose.Even more surprising was that Isais Bell was a woman, a follower of the Evernight Goddess, and popular even in Intis, where the Eternal Blazing Sun remained dominant.Her charm transcended borders.
Fullen began to read.
"...In the 'City of Sunlight,' everything shines brilliantly—so different from Backlund, where gloom is the constant theme. Of course, I do not dislike gloomy weather; excessive sunlight can harm oneself and others…"
"...If one wishes to write a truly realistic travelogue, the best approach is to become part of the local life, to experience the joys and sorrows of its people. Fortunately, my friends live in Trier. As followers of the God of Steam, their hospitality is gentler than that of the Blazing Sun believers. The subtle disdain in the words of the Sun's followers is precisely why I feel uneasy among them. Still, I must admit that when interacting with unfamiliar ladies, the Sun believers are unfailingly gentlemanly…"
Fullen became immersed in the reading, forgetting time entirely.The travelogue was thin compared to Earth web novels with millions of words, but still deeply satisfying.
When he finally stretched, the surroundings were already bathed in the soft, warm glow of candlelight.
After returning the book, Fullen lingered in the lingering richness of its scenes.He now understood why Isais Bell's travelogues were so popular—and why reality, when described vividly, could surpass any fiction.
Leaving the Trier National Library, Fullen walked home with unhurried steps, his path illuminated by the crimson moonlight and the fading glow of the setting sun.