"The Royal Library?" Josh asks. "What''s in there?"
I finish putting on my new shirt. "Knowledge. About this world and the monsters. We''ll need to know as much as we can if we want to survive."
"Guess so. I was never much of a student, so I''ll leave that part to you!"
"And seeing as how I''m level 1, I think I''ll leave the fighting to you."
Josh pumps his massive bicep. "I''ll run ''em over like I do the defensive line!"
I shake my head, with my eyes ending up on Alex. "What about you? Wanna come learn a few things?"
"Nah, I think I''m just gonna relax for today. Too many things have happened already…"
"Well, suit yourself. I''m out."
I step out into the hall and look down the corridor. The other two doors are closed, but I already know that one of the occupants is missing from his room.
Isaac went to the library too, huh? As did Mitsuki.
As expected of them, taking the initiative to learn.
With casual steps, I start walking, passing by the middle room in a matter of seconds. The next room goes by just as quickly, with Curtis still inside.
Soon, I''m just a few paces from the intersection at the far end of the hall. But it seems my luck is exceptionally bad today.
Ah, crap.
I turn just as a nearby door opens. Seeing as how Isaac is already at the library, that leaves just one person inside that particular room.
Or rather, it would be great if he was inside it, but unfortunately, he decides to step out just as I''m passing by.
"Well, well." The petty bully smiles as he shuts the door behind him. "If it isn''t the level 1."
"Oh, Curtis. It''s good to see you, too."
"Cut the crap, Lezard." He starts walking toward me. "Don''t forget that I''m one of the level 40s. I won''t take that smug attitude of yours anymore."
"I hope you don''t take it. I need it to keep up my reputation as an eccentric–"
Curtis'' open hand comes up, slamming me into the stone wall. His palm presses against my chest with a force that shouldn''t be possible for any human, pinning me against the hard stone.
"Don''t think I''ve forgotten all the crap you said to me back on Earth. And don''t think I''ll keep taking it here."
His fist slams into the wall just beside my head. He hits it with so much force that I hear the stone crack just a bit.
"You mess with me here, and you won''t live to regret it. You understand?"
"You''re right." I raise one hand. "I won''t regret it one bit."
The sound of a door opening fills the hall. Both Curtis and I turn and see someone step out of the room at the far end of the corridor.
"The hell''s going on out here?" Josh''s eyes fall on us. "Curtis, you''re at it again? I''m getting tired of dealing with you."
"What?" Curtis releases me. "Lezard and I were just having a little chat, right?"
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I rub my chest. "Yeah, though it wasn''t little enough for my tastes."
A flash of anger crosses Curtis'' face at my words, but he reigns it back in. Finally, he turns from me, fully facing Josh as the football jock comes to a stop beside us.
"Lezard here was just giving me a detailed explanation on where to find the bathroom. Very useful, huh?"
"Whatever." Josh waves his hand. "Get out of here."
"Tch." Curtis turns, his irritation only growing.
Josh watches on as the bully turns the corner. "That guy''s trouble. You better watch yourself, Lezard."
"Thanks for the help, but you don''t have to worry about me. I''ve dealt with people far worse than him before."
"Maybe so, but you said it yourself, didn''t you? This world ain''t like Earth. You can''t do anything against him with your level."
"True. It''d be draining to fight him when I''m so weak."
"Draining? From what I saw today, I''d say it''s pretty much impossible for you."
I shrug. "Doesn''t matter. I was careless today, but I won''t let him get the jump on me again. Anyway, I''m off to the library. Thanks, Josh!"
He shakes his head. "Just try to stay out of his way."
With that, I walk to the intersection and take the path opposite to the one Curtis took.
After a few turns, I find myself in front of a large double door made of dark wood. I give it a push, and the Royal Library opens up before me.
There are thousands and thousands of books inside, lined up on well over a hundred bookshelves. Everything from fantastical tales to scientific literature can be found within. But most of it is useless to me.
As I walk through the main passage, my eyes fall on a certain, studious classmate. Isaac barely spares me a glance as I pass by him, preferring to focus on his studies.
I give him the same treatment, letting my gaze glide right over him. Instead, I focus on my other classmate within the library.
I take a seat, then pick up one of the books on the table. "The Appearance of the Mist. Well, the title sure gives away the subject matter clearly."
Mitsuki turns a page in another book. "Know thine enemy, don''t you agree?"
"Sure. But who''s to say the mist is really the final boss?"
She moves her eyes to me. "What do you mean?"
"I''m just saying we need to keep an open mind. Every coin has two sides, doesn''t it? And right now, we can only see one."
"So you''re saying the books from the people of this kingdom will only tell us what they want us to believe?"
"Maybe. Or maybe they also can''t see the other side of the coin."
She returns her eyes to the book. "I see. I''ll keep that in mind."
I open the book in my hand. "But it can''t hurt to see what they have to say."
As expected, I get bored quickly. The information inside is so basic that I’d probably fall asleep if I keep reading it.
Rather than that, I go hunting for more advanced material. Unfortunately, even the Royal Library doesn’t have the information I truly want. Chances are, they keep certain texts hidden away from prying eyes like mine.
Still, I manage to find a few interesting books, then retake my seat next to Mitsuki.
Even with the more advanced texts, I find myself skimming out of boredom. But there’s nothing else for me to do for the day since they released us to relax and get used to our new world. So, I read on for a good couple hours.
Eventually, I close the final book, having absorbed all the information I can from it. Mitsuki, on the other hand, is still reading. But that’s not going to stop me from bugging her.
“Hey, Mitsuki.”
“Yes?” She doesn’t even look up from the page.
“What do you think about this world having two moons? Isn’t it awesome?”
Her eyes finally move to me. “Really, Lezard? You’re thinking about the moons?”
“Well, it can’t be helped. Moons are amazing, after all.”
She shakes her head. “You and moons. I’ll never understand what you find so fascinating about giant rocks hurtling through space.”
“Moons have an important function for life on the planet they orbit, you know. Like—”
“Yes, yes.” She waves her hand. “You’ve told me many times before.”
“You should be thankful that I love moons so much. Mitsuki means ‘beautiful moon’ in your native language, right? Why do you think I became your friend?”
She gives me a flat stare. “I was the one who told you that, well after we became friends.”
“Ah, right…”
Mitsuki returns her focus to her book. “I get the feeling I’m going to hear a lot about these two moons from now on…”
“You’re welcome.”
“I wasn’t expressing happiness.”
Ignoring Mitsuki’s comment, I stand and walk to the nearby window. It’s late now, with the sun having recently fallen below the horizon. That means the two moons in question can be seen clearly.
The first one that sticks out is the larger of the two. It’s roughly the size of the moon on Earth, with a pale, blue light that illuminates the darkness of night and gives it an exotic and beautiful appearance.
The second one is much smaller, about half the size of the first. Not only does it orbit this planet, but it also orbits the larger moon at the same time. Unlike the first, the second moon is a familiar shade of white, reminding me of the one back on Earth.
As I look up at the twin moons, I can’t help but wonder.
Are those two doing well?
Nobody answers my internal question.