A moment later, I was standing in a… library?
No, wait.
"…"
…What was this place?
At a glance, it seemed to be some sort of large, sunlit… luxury hotel suite, one of those expensive places with multiple connected rooms I'd only ever seen in movies.
From where I was standing, I could see a medium-sized library with glossy wooden floors, plush rugs, and tall windows with curtains in the kind of fabric I probably knew the name of, but would never match to the right thing in real life. Well, I could tell that they looked expensive, though.
Beyond a wide doorway, I could glimpse a bedroom with a large bed, king-sized at least, with a thick blanket folded neatly at the end.
The library itself—where I was standing—had elegant bookshelves, several armchairs that looked ready for someone to sink into, low tables, and, near the window, a cushioned nook with tasteful blue pillows.
More shockingly, however, dusters were dusting the books by themselves, almost merrily. Flying watering cans were watering the plants in the corners and, as soon as I noticed the circular dining table, the cup on it filled up with hot chocolate, steam curling upward.
A faint smell of polished wood hung in the air.
[System Notification: Welcome to the Core Partition! This space has been configured for optimal learning conditions.]
"Configured for— This is a learning space?"
[System Notification: The Core Partition is not a learning space by default. Its appearance and functionalities adapt to User preferences and needs.]
Well. I suppose I did need to learn, rest… and apparently be surrounded by luxury?
Wait, was this because of my reaction to Llewellyn's penthouse?!
Luxury aside, this place had nothing to do with Llewellyn's house; though I couldn't help but think it had exactly the kind of vibe where calling out "Lumos" would've felt right.
I eyed the inviting large bed visible in the next room and my mind wandered briefly. I really wouldn't mind being pressed down onto it.
Wait, no. Focus.
I wondered what Llewellyn's Core Partition looked like.
He had the perfect house already, so—what could his preferences and needs be?
"…"
…Wrong phrasing again.
I was so fucked.
I rubbed my face and turned to the System window.
"Could you please elaborate?"
[Further elaboration: The current configuration is based on User's cognitive processing style, comfort associations, and aesthetic inclinations, and operates according to the design principle of "Productive Loafing with Ontological Benefits".]
"…"
Was the System making fun of me?
"What are you on about?"
[Clarification: In this configuration, the User may use the Core Partition to study a preferred discipline, either actively or passively, or rest and expand his Magic subconsciously. The Partition Status will recalibrate according to needs.
Current Partition Status: Dignified Lazing.
Partition Logic: Magical Enhancement via Elegant Doing Nothing.
Growth through Passive Osmosis: Enabled.]
I mean… The more it went on, the more I felt like the System was making fun of me.
My eyes landed again on the lavish bed. Surely, the System wasn't implying that coming here to take a nap would make me stronger?
"What do you mean by Growth through Passive Osmosis?" I asked, because it seemed to be exactly what it was implying.
[Clarification: The User can utilize this space to learn in three configurations:
— Active Study, reading and learning from any material on the shelves;
— Passive Osmosis, placing one selected book on the nightstand to absorb its content during sleep;
— Instinctive Expansion, experiencing the Partition without selecting any material, enabling subconscious expansion of Magic through instinct. Instinctive Expansion remains active at all times while in the Core Partition, but is intensified by sleep.]
I stared at the notification, then back at the bed. "So you're telling me I can literally learn magic by napping?"
[System Notification: Affirmative. Currently Recommended: 1 hour-long nap in the Core Partition every day.]
I was speechless.
Did the System disapprove of my night shifts as much as Gran did? I couldn't believe it had gone so far as to build a luxury suite to make me nap.
I walked to one of the windows and peered out.
From what I could tell, this room really seemed to be housed within some sort of luxury castle-like building.
"How is this different from the training environment I used with Llewellyn?"
[System Notification: Training environments are constructed according to standard simulation algorithms. This space sits at the core of Magic itself.]
Huh? What does that even mean?
Maybe I should rephrase.
"Okay, try that again, but dumber. Pretend I have no idea how the world works."
The System paused for a moment.
[Clarification: Magic is the fundamental substrate of Reality.]
[In technologically driven societies, individuals no longer retain knowledge of how to interact with Magic directly.]
[Magic, therefore, has adapted, shaping itself into something humans can engage with: an Operating System.]
[The "System" functions as an interface, providing Users simplified access.]
[Direct use of Magic outside System automation is possible for skilled individuals.]
Wait—
I stared around, baffled.
This was life-changing information. Even if I didn't learn a single thing here, I'd never be able to look at the world in the same way.
And Llewellyn had just… handed this to me? Why?
And how the hell had he found out?!
"How do people find out about this?"
[System Notification: Access is restricted to individuals who can trigger the passcode through an appropriate prompt, and who meet the necessary conditions.]
So, the passcode must be "The System runs on Magic", which I'd triggered by asking what the System runs on. And I assumed "necessary conditions" meant passing the scan.
...But that still didn't answer my question.
"Do you ever tell anyone to input the prompt?"
[System Notification: The System cannot reveal, direct toward, or hint at the Core Partition or disclose a prompt to trigger the passcode.]
"How has Llewellyn found out then? Has anyone else?"
[System Notification: The System is not authorized to disclose that information.]
"Not authorized? You're the System. Who exactly is authorizing you?"
[System Notification: The System doesn't require external authorization.]
"So…?"
[System Notification: The System is not authorized to disclose that information.]
"…"
I frowned.
"So, what are you, exactly?"
[System Notification: The System is the System.]
…Honestly.
"I mean, what is your function?"
[The System is a multidimensional interface running on Magic as an Operating System.]
[Primary Function: Crisis Management. Detect, manage, and resolve disruptions in the fabric of Reality known as Knots. This includes Dungeon creation, mission matchmaking, and related tasks.]
[Secondary Functions: Skill distribution, contract offers, shop management, User support, and more.]
Huh.
"So what's the Core Partition, exactly?"
[System Notification: The Core Partition holds the purest, most fundamental manifestation of Magic as an Operating System. It stands halfway between the System and pure Magic.]
[Access to the Core Partition grants direct, guided access to pure Magic, enabling the User to study, shape, and master Magic across countless disciplines and paths beyond the System's predefined abilities.]
So… not just Elemental Magic?
I was more and more dumbfounded.
I took a look through the shelves. Fundamentals of Elemental Theory, Fundamentals of Geometric Casting, Advanced Geometric Applications in Magic, Beginner's Modular Glyphwork… My head spun.
"What kind of Magic is available?"
[System Notification: The Core Partition offers an infinite path to Mastery extending to all types and paths of Magic. Available categories include:
Elemental Mastery (Advanced)
Geometric Casting
Glyphwork Casting
Advanced Qi Techniques
Direct Path Magic
Invocation Practices
Non-Form Magic
Chancebinding
Recursive Crafting
Unruly Arts
Memoryfold Techniques
Origin Logic
Errant Creation
Dream-State Sharing
Nullcraft
…And 47 additional categories]
Damn.
"And if I just take a nap, I can learn it all?!"
[Clarification: Passive Osmosis allows the User to learn the content of ONE (1) book per nap. However, knowledge gained remains theoretical until refined through practical use.]
Oh.
Well, but that was still great.
I ran my hand over the spine of the books.
I'd been thinking about the training session with Llewellyn, so On Instinct: The First Language of Magic and Breath and Bone: Elemental Foundations in Martial Flow caught my eye. A section on how Elemental powers (especially Earth, Water, and Air) affected body tension, stance, and release seemed particularly interesting.
Next to them, Unlicensed Field Notes: Magic Without Structure and Self-Tuning Rituals (Draft 4) seemed to be unfinished.
Books on Potions, Rituals, and various Cultivation paths could also be spotted at a glance.
"The stuff I can learn here— How is all of this different from the skills and abilities I've been using? Like Elemental Insight or Thread Moderation?"
[System Notification: Standard System skills are surface-level applications based on magical algorithms and how they interact with the User's nature. The Core Partition allows guided exploration of the fundamental principles of Magic itself, independent from System algorithms, granting deeper understanding rather than pre-programmed abilities.]
"What about Attributes, then? Aren't they supposed to be based on the User's deeper nature?"
[Affirmative. The codification of the User's nature into Attributes permits their interaction with the System's algorithms, determining the automation of all other skills.]
That was smart.
So the outward System seemed to be a way to automate deeper magical workings.
And then there was… this place, like some sort of backend access.
…This was absolutely insane.
I suddenly remembered the hot chocolate and went to check it out.
It was still steaming.
I ran it through the System before picking it up and taking a sip. It was rich and dark with just a bit of hazelnut in it.
Amazing, honestly.
"Can I bring Penguin in here?"
There was a pause.
[System Notification: Companion-level Entity 'Penguin' registered as bonded. Import approved.]
A soft pop sounded, then Penguin dropped onto the rug with a muffled squeak and rolled once before flapping upright. He looked slightly ruffled, but otherwise fine.
He blinked at me, then turned in a slow circle, taking in the partition.
I moved closer to scoop him up.
"Cool, right?"
A second later, a small tray slid out of the nearby wall with a faint click and came flying toward the table. On it were a neatly arranged portion of diced fish, a small silver spoon, and a folded linen napkin.
Penguin chirped, delighted.
Well. Looked like the Partition had decided Penguin was an honored guest.
I ran the diced fish through the System too, just in case, but it really seemed to be just food. I put Penguin down on the table, next to the tray, and watched him as he nibbled at it happily.
[System Notification: Additional Magic Tools that best suit the User's nature are also available. Further details can be provided on request.]
I blinked.
Wait—Magic Tools?!
And it was only saying this now?!!
"Yes!" I quickly added. "Show me."