The first page asked a simple question: "What is a Human?"
It was an interesting topic for Orion. And the answer was simpler than he expected—too simple to be trustworthy actually.
If Orion understood correctly, the general belief here was that humans were an ordinary, low race descended from Elves. Specifically, humans were born from unions between Elves who lacked innate talent for magic.
According to the Elven archives, this was the absolute truth. Humans were merely descendants of weak Elves who were considered insignificant of their society.
Orion inwardly rejected it. Evolution alone made the claim ridiculous.
He had grown up with scientific documentaries. He saw the skeletons of Neanderthals staring back at him. Earth had real bones, real DNA experiments on chimpanzees and real proof of human-evolution.
Orion had to remember that even if the information came from fancy books in a magic library, it might not be entirely accurate.
But he didn't dwell on it too deeply yet. He moved on from human history to more interesting topics. For instance, Orion didn't know the power system yet.
According to the book, Midka's development paths were split into magic and physical martial routes.
A child with the talent to become a mage or warrior, sometimes even both, had to choose. Once chosen, they began irreversible training in mana or physical discipline. Also even geniuses were often rejected by magic or deemed incompatible with mana.
Those who can sense mana as warriors or mages received the title "Awakened" and were considered to be at the first stage.
When Orion began comparing his own stats and system with this world, he noticed something strange. He hadn't seen a single stat related to mana or magic. No mana quantity, spell speed, or anything similar. There was no visible HP either, and mana wasn't mentioned anywhere.
It was like his system had nothing to do with this planet at all. Orion found this strange and decided he needed to understand the local power structure.
He skimmed rapidly, gaining a broad understanding of human history and magical development.
Warriors were considered Awakened when they reached roughly twice the physical strength of an average man. They were called Awakened Trainees.
Mages were less clearly defined. Those who managed to contain mana within their bodies and direct it toward a desired effect were considered level one Awakened Novice Mages. Even at this level, they could enhance their eyesight or boost their energy.
Different races connected with mana at different ages. This largely determined development speed and potential.
This realization was deeply unsettling.
The book didn't even try to compare humans with other blessed ones like High Elves, Noble Druids, or Lord Vampires. Those born with innate mana and superior magical ability simply weren't comparable to a human.
Humans sensed mana for the first time between the ages of seventeen and eighteen. For most races, it happened at three or four, or there was no restriction and it happened as they were born.
Orion thought this went beyond being unfair; it was completely ridiculous. Aside from humans, almost every living species and animal type experienced mana ability or bloodline awakening by the age of five at the latest.
Humans were the only exception. Moreover, the rate of mana awakening was less than 1% of the population.
Doing a quick calculation, even in a human population of 10 billion, the number of people capable of using mana would be around 10 million.
Orion closed the first book and moved on to the second, this time focusing on races and war history. For the next half hour, he flipped through sections detailing short war histories of various races.
Some he only glanced at for illustrations. Others he read carefully. By the end, he was exhausted.
There were too many races, all drawn from regions near humanity or recorded in human sources.
Elves, Orcs, Dwarves, Star Children, Kobolds, Barbarians, Centaurs, Druids, Vampires, Minotaurs, Demons, Harpies, Giants, Gnolls, Imps, Sea Races, Naga, Lamia and of course goblins.
Orion remembered a nasty memory.
"The book forgot about the dragons. I died just looking at its eyes. And there is a chance it wasn't a real dragon, either."
Remembering that pain brought back memories of so many other creatures that had killed him that day. There were many weird and small monsters that this book didn't mention even once.
Orion sensed a known secret: "Race" meant smart and developed creatures. There were probably thousands, maybe even millions, of other variants.
Orion lifted his head and looked around the library. He was now certain this place had nothing to do with Earth. Millions of books, complex content, and a magical world.
He scratched his head and skimmed some interracial wars from the middle section of the book.
Elves and Barbarians despised each other. A foolish verbal clash between noble Elf royals and Barbarian nobles had sparked a conflict lasting thousands of years.
Dwarves were not as friendly as rumored. They were arrogant, greedy, and self-centered. They only cooperated when useful. Their communities were small and secretive, quickly expelling the useless.
Giants were particularly interesting. Their bodies were said to reach hundreds of meters. Human sources contained many giant tales, yet proof was nearly nonexistent or mostly fabricated.
Even Elves believed the Giant Race was extinct.
All giant stories in human records were said to be inventions by opportunists carving fake footprints to lure tourists.
Orion took the next book. It was a small Dwarf book, which started with a famous quote at the beginning.
"Metals choose their own flames." - Akon
The book contained general knowledge on Dwarf metal-craft. It covered types of metals, fires, and their links to creating powerful artifacts or weapons. It wasn't too detailed, but it still required a lot of brainpower to understand some Dwarf terms.
Orion had the full knowledge of the Midka Human Language, but this book contained some original Dwarven words from the source.
While skimming it, Orion picked up the tea Kalista had brought a few minutes ago.
"You didn't pay for these, right?"
Kalista's expression didn't change, but her eyes conveyed the whole meaning. "Even if I'm threatened with my life, I will never pay for anything as your protector."
Orion smiled and set the book in his hand down on the table. He picked up a thin guidebook lying nearby and researched how to level up in the Hunting Zones and Dungeons.
Despite its thin size, the booklet overflowed with coordinates, regions, and detailed data about monster hunting.
As far as Orion understood, Dungeons consisted entirely of monsters. On the other hand, Hunting Zones were habitats of magical animals.
Monsters from Dungeons always dropped mana crystals. Natural beasts almost never did. So Dungeon hunting existed for profit with high-level danger. Hunting Zones offered a safer time for training in open fields.
Orion decided to learn more about the school's Dungeons after his health check with Teacher Remy tomorrow.
Orion opened an alchemy book and struggled to read a few pages. It erased any lingering doubts about science. The concept of chemistry or modern science held no relevance in Midka.
The people of this world were far from foolish. Orion didn't even have to force himself to think that way.
When he lifted his head and looked at the magical library's lighting around him, he could see that this world had its own charm.
Besides, no matter how much alchemy was considered a pseudoscience on Earth, the Midka version wasn't written scientifically, but it still carried its own strange credibility.
For example, the opening hundreds of pages listed plants, mixtures, and metals with obsessive detail and care.
Stopping at a random page, he read about processing a mineral mined from a specific Midka region. It explained mixing methods, temperature requirements, and functional properties.
The pages were packed with text, symbols, sketches, and obsessive margin notes.
"This clearly resembles chemistry, but it's more like trial and error..." Orion didn't realize he was speaking aloud or notice Kalista's curious gaze. He was immersed in the book.
The list of materials covered only a third of the book. The remainder dove into even deeper topics: famous alchemists, advanced mixture formulas, and basic things to know about elements.
The entire two thousand pages of "Introduction to Alchemy" served as a beginner text. By sheer chance, Orion had picked a book used in last year's classes.
He genuinely felt pity for alchemy students. What kind of exams did they even take?
Orion was feeling free and less restrained with his strong body and new stats. So, he wasn't as afraid of social rules or dilemmas.
"Kali, let's walk around a bit and head back." His voice was casual when he said that.
"Mm..." The approving sound was calm, but Kalista's eyes were wide. It was the first time anyone had shortened her name.
Do I have a nickname now?
Kalista wasn't sure how to feel about this nickname. She had been born a slave. Streets. Gangs. Then a special assassin class for war. After that, she went wherever the Academy ordered.
Her entire life was a blood-red trail of theft, fighting, and killing.
She was a terrifying warlord! And ever since becoming one last year, almost no one spoke to her normally. Even she felt bored and lonely with this kind of isolation.
But now, her heart was racing because a nineteen-year-old boy called her "Kali".
"Kali…"
As they entered the lower floors of the library, Kalista followed Orion without paying attention to anything. She was unaware of the smile on her face.
For the first time in a long while, she didn't know what to do with her happiness.
Kali sounds girly and cute.
Kali... Hehe…