After holding his badge up to a set of metal doors, Nathan entered the library. He was amazed at how large it was. The middle area was open and had several tables with people sitting down and reading over different books, loose papers, or stone tablets. Around the edge were two floors of shelves, holding information passed from Adventurer to Adventurer since the first day of the Guild’s establishment.

The ceiling had a glass roof to let in sunlight. Every now and then Nathan could spot a potted plant or two, which allowed fresh air to waff around the place. He has been in several libraries over his years, and spent a few nights in them as well. This was easily one of the best, if not the best one he has ever been in.

The modern age of technology allowed for people to stay at home and find all the information one would need. Nathan preferred that than coming to a library, but it was still nice to hold a physical book every now and then.

A librarian with a pair of fox ears on top of her head glanced over at Nathan. “Welcome to the Codex room. If there is any topic of the book you are interested in, let me know and I can direct you to the section it is located in.” Her voice was very soft spoken, and reminded Nathan of his grandmother with how she talked at him.

“Thanks, are there any books for new members? Some sort of general knowledge that would be useful. Also, any medical books. Biology, Chemistry, Healing Magic, anything related to the subject.”

“Oh, already taking the benefits huh? Well we have a book just for new people that will be perfect for you. It’s actually free to take, no check out needed. We hand them to all members, including temporary ones. As for Medical books, we have a few, although what creature are you interested in? Human?”

Nathan thought about it for a moment. “General information first, after than anything on Humans, Elves, and Dwarfs. Along with any other similar body types. Maybe throw orcs in there as well.”

The receptionist nodded and pointed at a floating metal ball. “Just walk up to one of the helpers and let them know what you want. They will deliver the book to you at the table you sit at. If you wish to check out any books, at Iron rank you can check out four books at a time. There is no real rush to return them, but if someone else wants the book, you will be notified and given a 24 hour period to return it.”

“Also, please don’t bring the books with you on missions. We lost so many good works that way. Just copy the notes you need from them. If there is a book missing, let me know and I can request a transfer from one of our other guilds, but any books that are rare won’t be available to you at Iron Rank.”

Nathan was about to say thanks and leave but stopped. “Wait, your rank depends on what sort of information you can request and find here?”

“Oh yes, mostly to prevent lower ranks from messing with subjects not suited for their prestige. A perfect example is Necromancy. Those missions are always Steel rank or higher. We wouldn’t want anyone trying to learn that magic.”

“What stops a Steel Rank or higher from doing so?” Nathan asked.

“Nothing really, but at that point the Guild has a good idea of your character. If you worked so hard to reach those ranks then you must be very desperate.”

“Thanks for the help. Are you the only librarian?”

“Oh there are a few of us, but it’s a superficial position. The Helpers do all the work honestly.”

Nathan glanced back at the metal floating ball. “Right...well thanks.” He walked over to one of the basketball sized objects.

“Uh, hello? I would like to find some books, can you help somehow?”

The ball seemed to flicker to life, a blue glow coming off of it. A voice resounded in Nathan’s mind. “Greetings! I am Helper #1,997. Please state the topic of the book you wish for me to retrieve for you.” The voice sounded like a robot child.. Both full of emotion, but also fabricated.

Nathan scratched at his ears, as he could hear the little thing, but not with his ears. It was weird, but something he knew was possible. “Yes, I am looking for a book on healing magic.”

“There are two books dedicated to this topic available to you. ‘The Healing Properties of Gems’ and ‘Natural Remedies’. Would you like for me to retrieve them?”

“Yes please. Also before you go, can I request more books?”

“Affirmative!”

“How many books on Anatomy are available?”

“433 books available at your rank.”

“How many of the races of Human, Elf, Orc, and Dwarf.”

“11”

“How many are just about Humans?”

“Five”

“I’ll take those, and can I get a copy of the book that all new members apparently get?”

“Of Course! Is there anything else I can get for you?” The voice asked.

“No, actually wait. How do you work?”

“I am an artificial magical mind given purpose to aid those in search of knowledge. I am given strict orders to never give more details than this. Further questioning will be seen as a threat to the secrets of a magical artifact.” The voice took an edge that made Nathan feel uneasy. No longer childlike was the voice.

“Well, can I ask why that is a threat?”

“Of course!” The Helper returned to it’s child-like voice. “I suggest one of two books: ‘A History of Magical Artifacts And The Downfall of Society’ along with the Mages Guild’s law book on the creation of Magical Items. Those would give you all the information needed about your question.”

“Right, I will have to check those out later. I will be at that table over there.” Nathan pointed at a table that was directly under one of the sunlights and next to a plant. “Do I need to pay you or anything?”

“No, my services are completely free!” Helper #1,997 zoomed away leaving Nathan alone. He sat at the table and only had to wait seven minutes before a stack of books landed in front of him.

Nathan noticed the thickest book was only two fingers in width. The thinnest was a few sparse

papers protected by leather. He was frustrated at the limited knowledge, but started to skim through the Human Anatomy books first.

He was surprised it was as detailed as it was. It was missing the smaller details, but it talked about how skin repairs itself, even to those who are not Awakened. Showing that it is a natural function and not a magical one.

It glossed over how bones were living material, red and white blood cells, even how the brain works. It lightly went over details on how the body interacts with magical spells. An interesting fact about the body is it is a living thing. Thus it is hard to cast certain types of magic to it.

An example is a buff spell that can increase the resistance to fire damage. A creature who does not want to be buffed would try to resist the spell, and either nullifying the effects or at least weakening them. A willing creature receives the buff in its entirety thus benefiting the most.

Nathan was glad that it talked about how Magic and a body worked when interacting, and made notes to read that one later. Only one other book mentioned the interactions of both body and magic, so he set that to the side as well.

The worst book was the five page pamphlet that had accurate drawings of the human body. Both male and female. Nathan was not a shy man, but the drawings gave more detail than what was probably needed, and he felt as if he was looking at something he shouldn’t in public.

Nathan didn’t notice the slight change in the library. The natural sunlight was now replaced with artificial magical ones instead. He was also now alone, but that didn’t bother him in the slightest.

The last two books on healing magic were next for him to look over. He assumed Natural Remedies would have nothing for him, so he started there. In it talked about natural plants or animal parts that helped with the recovery rate of those who are Awakened. A few of the plants Nathan knew such as Aloe plants.

It had a few basic alchemical recipes in the back that are perfect for any beginning Chemist or Alchemist. Nathan wanted to take a skill or two into that tree, and made a metal note to check this book out once he had them unlocked.

He also assumed it would be expensive to do any sort of crafting. Yet another reason to hold off before he delved into finding a cheap way to create medicine for people.

The final book ‘Healing Properties of Gems’ was the second thickest book. He opened it up expecting a mix of useful information and hippie bullshit. Yet he saw how Ragnork used an Amber to save Marcilio, so there had to be something useful about gems.

“Gemstones are a magic user's greatest friend. Each one has a unique property and in this volume we are going over those that are used in the day to day lives of Priests, Clerics and those who wish to Heal.”

Each chapter covered an individual gem. Some Nathan has never heard of, and others that seemed to be multipurpose.

“The Ruby is by far the weakest Gem for healing but can also be the strongest when any Healing Magic is created by a subtype of Fire Magic. Take for example the spell [Fire Blood] it is a buff spell that increases the speed and reaction time of the one who it is casted upon. Normally such a buff would be better used with a Topaz, as the gem is a great with Buff spells, yet the properties of a Ruby seems to amplify any fire spell, including [Fire Blood].”

Nathan skimmed over to Amber to read about it.

“Amber is nicknamed ‘Stone Flesh’ for a reason. Any spell involving the flesh of anything should instantly involve an Amber. The worse the damage, the more of the gem is needed in it’s recovery. The ritual spell [Restore Flesh] is a powerful but expensive spell. It can fix any wound on a body, and the mana cost is reasonable as well. Yet this is only feasible with an Amber as it’s material cost to the ritual. Keep in mind to always carry a few ambers with you, it could save your own life.”

Nathan whistled to himself at the information he read. “That must be at least a Tier 2 spell. I can’t see it yet on my list. Unless it has a hidden requirement, which I am willing to bet my Doctor title that it needs Healing Touched fully ranked if that’s the case.”

Nathan went to the Librarian who had swapped out with a human man. He checked out the book on Gems and the two books on Human Anatomy to study later. Nathan was forced to sign an agreement that he was responsible for anything that happened to them.

With the three books he checked out and the free one that filled him in about the Guild and life of an Adventurer, he headed back to his bunk room.

“And I don’t care what you think of Boolog. You touch my shit again, you will wake up without your manhood!” A stern femenine voice was the first thing Nathan heard when he opened the door.

A wolf standing on two legs was holding Boolog by the collar of his tunic. Everyone froze and turned to Nathan when he came in. Trevor, Boolog, Zella, and another new face who Nathan assumed to be Okutar were all at each other's throats.

“Uh, I can leave and come back if you all need to settle something.” Nathan said as the door closed behind him.

The Half-Orc cleared his throat. “No, we were just finished. Right Zella?” He asked, staring at the WolfMan.

She didn’t look at him, but glared daggers at Boolog. “Just don’t touch my stuff Halfling.” She dropped him onto the ground, and collapsed onto his butt.

Nathan watched Zella climb into her bed without another word. He walked over to Boolog, “You okay? Need any healing?”

“No I’m fine. Not enough to waste mana on. I’ll be back to full in the morning before I leave.” Boolog looked a bit glad Nathan offered though.

Nathan nodded and walked over to Okutar, and stuck out his hand. “Hi there, I am Nathan. Pleasure to meet you.”

Okutar grabbed Nathan’s arm and pulled him into a bear hug. “Hey, I hug my friends, especially if they are a healer! Okutar, pleasure is all mine. I’m a Warrior training to become a Knight in King Matrol’s army. May he serve for many years.”

“Right, well I am training to be a healer along with tanking once I get my skills up in that department.”

“A Battle Medic? What Guard unit are you under?” He asked excitedly

“Ah, I’m not in the Guard. Just this Guild.”

“What! Then who is going to train or tutor you?” Okutar sat down on his bed heavily invested in Nathan’s story.

“This Guild offered a tutor, but said it will be some time until they find one for me. Until then I am on my own.”

“You don’t have a party yet do you? Trevor said you didn’t, but hopefully nobody snagged you yet did they?”

Nathan shook his head. “Nobody has asked yet. Nor have I received any letters or notes.”

“Perfect! You can join mine. We are only three strong and leave in two days to do some missions. We are all Iron Rank still. I’ve been around for only a couple of months but our leader has been here for a year and super close to Bronze Rank.”

“It takes that long to rank up? Sheesh that’s a steep climb.”

“Not really, she took her time going up the ranks. Pushing that two week break to its limits. She is an Artificer, and relies on her creations for combat.”

Nathan nodded and walked over to his bed to put away his books. “I see, well I will probably wait to look at all the invites if any first. I rather give everyone the best chance and join the party that I fit in with the most.”

Okutar waved a hand as if it wasn’t a big deal. “Don’t sweat it, if you want to learn more about our party, just let me know. I hope you don’t mind if we hire your services when we get back after missions. The first day of recovery is always the worst.”

“If you need healing then ask, I won’t charge you.” Nathan said with a smile.

“I told you! He doesn't charge for his healing.” Trevor said.

“Like I would believe you. I thought you just made it up to tease me, you damned Bard.”

“It’s true, I don’t charge. If it’s something that requires materials, if you provide them then I will do it for you. If not, then you will have to pay, but only for the cost of the materials. I refuse to let my talents be restricted to the rich.”

Okutar put a hand on Nathan’s shoulder. “You are a good man. If you need anything, and I mean anything I’m your Orc. Good hearted people like you are rare.”

“Thanks, I’ll remember that. What time do you all go to sleep normally?” He asked, taking a glance at Zella.

“Eh if you want to sleep just lay in the bed. They are enchanted to block out all sound and dim the lights a good amount if you are trying to sleep.” Trevor explained.

“How does that work?” Nathan asked, looking at his pillow.

All he got in response was a shrug. “Magic.”