Varisa was sitting on her bed, her back against the wall. She put the book down she’d been reading to massage her temple with both hands. It contained a hundred spells, and nothing else... No explanation, not even a comment. They’d been told to read and learn and that there’d be a test within three months.

‘What’s with those?’ She’d made multiple translations, but still couldn’t figure what over half of them were supposed to do. She knew the problem didn’t lie with her as she was arguably better with Ravealian than most Native speakers. The problem was with the vocabulary; it was overly specialized and niche. Heck, there’d been cases where she couldn’t find the stupid words in regular dictionaries

Nadia knocked. “Mistress, would you like to get breakfast with me? There isn’t much time left before the refectory close.” It had been over two hours since Nadia left to train with her friend Tina et they were indeed cutting short on time.

“Coming… and thanks for inviting me.” The distraction was welcome.

“Thank for what? Don’t we eat together every day?”

“That’s for me to know and for you to ponder.” She wasn’t about to admit she was stumped when Nadia had it much worse than her. She promptly changed the subject.“How was your training?”

This time, the answer was enthusiastic. “Tina is a weird one. She’s weaker and slower than me by all account but I keep finding myself on the defensive. There wasn’t anyone like her back home.”

“She’s older and more practiced fighting people, what did you expect?.” Interpersonal combat was hardly a priority in the monster filled hinterlands, apart maybe from a select few tribes who sold their services as mercenary, which intersected well with their banditry activities. “What of your studies?”

Enthusiasm drained from her face. “Um… Er… I… I can summon a light and that’s about it.” She manifested a shinning heatless orb over her left hand as a demonstration. This was a most common spell, used by thousands daily.

“Change it to a cube over your head, if you please.” Requested Varisa. What defined a true mage from the common user was the ability to alter and build spells to suit their needs.

“Um… Okay.” The light faded as Nadia relinquished her grasp over it. Not long after, she recited a slightly different spell. “Is that alright?” As he asked the question, she cocked her head sideway and the light followed suit.

“Wonderful!” Her newfound ability to come up with a new spell on the fly was proof of her progress. “Do you want to hit the library with me?” She had ordered a few books for her and Nadia’s use.

“Yes, please!” She needed all the help she could get, and despite sharing quarters, they spent surprisingly little time together.

“Common or restaurant?” Proposed Varisa as they neared the refectory.

Red in the face, Nadia asked bashfully they head restaurant. She loved the selection of desserts, although the cost of each item felt shameful to her.

“Why don’t you invite Tina tomorrow? I’m sure she’d delight to eat at someone else’s expense.” One didn’t need much contact with the woman to understand her hedonistic nature.

The young warrior overtly laughed at the all too accurate description. “You don’t mind? I’m sure she’ll be delighted.”

The food was delicious, and with their meal and ablution finished, they headed to the library. More specifically, to the copy shop near the entrance.

“Good morning miss Varisa.” Called the clerk joyously. She was a young dark-haired woman with pleasant feature and even nicer smile.

“Good morning, Clara.” She presented a large paper card, “I was informed you received my order?”

“That’s right, although not all of it. Let me see…Mnemonics to the spirit tongue. Check. Ravealian and spirit language dictionary. Check” She took the card presented to her to stamp out the two titles before handing it back then from behind the counter, she recovered two heavy red books with a grunt.

Varisa winced, she had not expected the bilingual dictionary to be this ridiculously massive.

“Want some help?” Asked Nadia. The book was easily half as big as the petite woman. One couldn’t help but wonder how it hadn’t yet come apart under its own weight.

The dark-haired girl winked. “I’m a lot stronger than I look but thank you for offering.” She then flipped the page of one of her many registries. “There was a down payment of one gold crown and a half for the dictionary plus three silver crowns and a half for the other which makes… That’ll be five gold pennies; one silver crown and five silver pennies.”

Varisa handed down a crown. “Thank you for the rushed job, I never expected it to be this... massive. Do you mind putting the leftover as down payment for the last books?”

“Well, I’m not supposed to... But I’ll make an exception for you since you’re such a good customer.” Answered Clara playfully.

This got Varisa to sharpen her eyes critically and start nagging. “The service has been acceptable so far, but I wouldn't get too complacent if I were you. I can still go to the concurrence.”

“You can’t though, there’s literally no one else.” Protested the little black-haired woman.

“What you mean to say is: there isn’t yet. If you catch my drift.” Said Varisa menacingly.

The clerk cried out overly dramatically. “You… You wouldn’t dare?” Fake tears glistened in her eyes as she pleaded “Do you have no heart? Will you put me... No, all of us out on the street our with your financial might?”

“Work hard, so that it does not happen.” Her smile turned evil. “Or even better, come work for me.”

“You! You’re really after my body, aren’t you?!” Gasped Clara.

Varisa made a show of looking at Clara’s body from different angles. She loved these bouts of silliness she’d read about but never experienced herself... Until recently. “Yeah, you got me there. What’s your price? Everyone has one.”

“You’ll never make me betray my husband.” Countered Clara vehemently although her hands flashed a large gold coin and a three from behind the counter.” She too loved playing around, something she hadn’t had many opportunities to since she joined the library.

“Deal! I’ll have mine for take-out.”

“Oh, no! Woe is me! Sinful, lustful me! To think I have sold my soul for money…”

A door opened violently from behind the counter to let pass a blond-haired woman in her mid-forties. “Mind your voice! I can hear you from the other side.”

“Sorry.” Answered both culprits as they bowed their heads in perfect unison.

“No need for theatrics, just keep your voice down!”

“Yes ma’am.” Responded the pair.

“This was so embarrassing.” Commented the hinterland girl, still basking in the fresh new experience.

“Damn right it was!” Responded Clara. “This is all your fault Varisa. You're such a good sport.”

“Me? Who are you kidding, you are!”

“Come one, you know I don’t hold a candle to you…”

“Please, watch your tone, milady.” Interrupted Nadia a finger pointed at the door. While she herself had no interest in such banters, she was very happy her mistress found someone to play along. Of only she limited her games to correct the time and place.

“Sorry, ma’am.” Answered the duo joyously.

The two hinterlanders collected the books and stepped through the main entrance into the library proper. It had three sections, each with its own level. On the first floor were the entrance, the main information counter and a largest study room. Its alleys contained specialized dictionaries, manuals and a plethora of exercise books.

The second level configuration was about the same, albeit with a smaller study room to make place to alleys filled with books on technical and natural philosophy, religion, history and even some fiction.

The third and last floor was dedicated to the conservation and restoration of ancient tomes. It was overseen by a special information counter and its access strictly restricted to the research staff and students under their supervision.

At regular interval, all over the library were warning placards listing the rules of the library:

You shall be silent within the library. Books must be returned to their proper place or to a counter. As per the edict of his majesty, the act of theft or arson within the library will be considered capital offence. Black bound books stamped with the royal crest are library’s properties. Books must be treated with respect. Smile, the spirits see you.

The two women sat side by side at an empty table on the first floor. “What can I help you with?” Asked Varisa softly.

“Sadly, a lot. I’m afraid I don’t even understand the translations you made for me.” Responded Nadia in the same voice.

“I’ll do my best to explain, but the language is missing a lot of words and concepts.” Many a reclusive tribe didn't have a name for their tongue for it was the only one they knew.

Nadia opened her textbook to the dreaded chapter. “I don’t get it. Those spells require too much outside knowledge and for the few I get; their usage seems pointlessly narrow.”

So much for escapism whined the younger girl internally, it was the exact same problem. “I see we share the same grief.” Unwillingly admitted Varisa. She didn’t want to believe it, but maybe they really lacked something as foreigners.

A booming voice resounded into the library. “I can’t find any. What’s the bloody heck with that?” Complained a noble around thirteen.

He was soon joined by other youths of similar standing, age and noisiness. Angry stares turned on them from all direction but to no avail. On the contrary, they looked as though as they enjoyed the attention.

“This place is a dump.” Snobbishly fussed another one.

“How can the staff be so bloody useless?” Spat a slightly older boy in (self-)righteous fury.

“Pure noble should have our own space. One that doesn’t stink of mongrel.” His sight was directed at Stella von Lettia, a girl from the same class who’d told him what she thought of his ideas, and how far up his ass he could shove them.

In response, she simply pointed a finger at a placard SILENCE IN THE LIBRARY behind her. Sadly, rather than stop him from making noise his eye was drown to Varisa’s dictionary that he promptly snatched.

A red cover meant personal property. To the stupid arrogant privileged youth, a commoner’s property was as good as theirs.

“This is milady’s!” Growled Nadia. “Put it back right this instant, or I’ll make you.”

He explained, as to chiding a child. “Huh? What’s your problem? I’ll give it back once I’m done with it.” He then lamented to his friends, with a tough look. “What’s with these people? No sense of property...”

His scream filled the room was Nadia made true on her promise. Unfortunately for them both, in her rage she’d failed to properly control her strength and broke the boy’s fingers under the heavy tome.

Suddenly, as though they’d been waiting for the occasion, library’s enforcers entered the fray. “

What’s with the commotion?” Asked their leader with a disdainful smile.

“This bitch attacked Basil without provocation. Do something, damnit!” Urged a young noble.

“Really? Miss, did you attack this man?” Nasty intention transpired his falsely neutral tone.

It was Varisa who responded? “The boy stole a book. Dear Nadia put it back where it belonged, albeit a bit strongly. How is it her fault that he didn’t let go?”

“Really?” The tone was sarcastic as he pointed at the unconscious teen. “How does not letting go of a book end up into a broken hand?”

“That bitch attacked out of nowhere.” “Animals, the lot of them.” Yeah! Put them down.” “Not even their books.” Clamored the noisy nobles.

“This is now an inquiry. Swear by your honor, and in the name of his majesty to tell the truth and only the truth.” The somber gravity of his tone was largely offset by the rictus on his face.

“He took the book without permission, the tall one threatened him and snatched it back when he wouldn’t surrender his steal.” Quickly surmised Stella von Lettia more afraid her silence would be held against her that of what her fellow would do to her.

‘Traitorous scum.” “Look at that, the filthy mongrel sides with her fellow bitch.”

“Learn to read, cretins.” Responded Stella unabashed. She was too happy with what happened to her former nemesis to let any of this get her down.

“I need you to swear, milords, on your honor.” Strongly asked the librarian again.

“Yeah, yeah! Do your damn duty man.” “Hurry-up and get those beasts out.”

“Doesn’t it matter, Basil’s hurt! Call a healer damnit.” A rare voice of reason in an ocean of stupidity.

The enforcer asked again. “This can wait until we’ve established the truth. Did that woman attack unprovoked, or did she not?”

“She did! Are you happy, now? Call a bloody healer!”

This apparently satisfied the enforcer as he claimed. “You lot are guilty of perjury, causing a disturbance, offensive language, breaking the peace and abetting a thief. Take them away!”

“What?! Who do you think we are?!”

“Who you are and where you hail from doesn’t matter as there are no privileges in this school. Which you should know if you lot ever paid attention to anything but yourselves. Not that it matters, you’re all guilty of perjury, on front of your peers and before inquisitors mandated by his majesty himself. Pack your things, your families will be officially informed of your dismissal.”

“We did nothing wrong.” “She started it.”

A librarian pointed at the placards on the wall.

“Lie all you want, we observed everything that transpired. As for you…”

“This is an outrage!” “You’ll hear from my father.” “Who do you think you are?” “Don’t touch me”

He rolled his eyes fed up with the boys’ protest. “Lock them up while I finish here, please.” He turned back to Nadia. “As I was trying to say, violence is not tolerated within the library. It’d be one thing if you were protecting yourselves or your belongings, but neither were directly at risk. Do you agree?”

“I do...”

“I’m sorry, but both and the boy will be consigned to your rooms until a decision can be made. If you work outside, an exception can be made but we will need to confirm with your employer.”

“I... Hum…Do not work.”

“Much simpler then. You may be called to state your case. Are you familiar with the procedure?” Even if at a level, he sympathized with her, he wished he could just kick them both out like the others and be done with it. Sadly, jurisprudence was fuzzy with accidental harm, and considering the price of the book, it was well within the definition of self-defense.

“Yes, sir.” Acquiesced a despondent Nadia.

That day, Varisa realized two things out of the whole incident. Firstly, the natives were as troubled by the assignment as she was. Secondly, the school was out to crush troublemakers, the Hopeless in particular.

Later the same day in the principal office.

“Matia dissolved their parliament. According to rumor the king had most of them executed for treason.” Announced Elias von Siltt somberly as he sat.

“I’m sure his majesty would also delight in removing some of his barons.” This was from his host Mulheim, the principal.

“Feudalism is dragging us down. We were decades behind Utravalia, and now Matia is passing us by. Can you believe this?”

“If only we could get those frontier idiots to cease their senseless skirmishes.”

Elias, a noble and a frontier idiot himself, could not agree more. “Speaking of idiots, we’ll have at least six less to deal with. Five committed perjuries during an investigation and another was caught red-handed stealing from the restaurant.”

“Damn them! What little we get from the nobles don’t even start to cover the damages their stupid progeny causes!”

The pair had come to a similar position but from wildly different background. Elias, fifth son of minor traditional noble, was kicked out of home at a young age by incompetent siblings fearful of his talent.

Mulheim on the other hand, was the beloved son of a merchant. He’d received a good education and had been expected to take over the business... until a minister poached him from his own family.

At the time, his majesty’s father’s cabinet was eager to recruit people without connections to put in charge of reforming the school. A monumental task which’d probably go to the next generation as they’d been at it for over forty years.

According to ancient text, the country technical level was far below what the Cardinal empire had enjoyed at its most decadent, below Ultravia’s, and probably soon below Matia’s.

It couldn’t be helped that Ultravia sudden modernization and reformation had come as a surprise to all, not least to the Ultravian themselves.

Embroiled as they were in internal affairs, the three kingdoms enjoyed their first time of peace in centuries (apart from the occasional disputes between frontiers idiots) but everybody knew the next war would be all the more terrible for it.