Chapter 498: Research Information? (2)

Chapter 496

Walking towards the receptionist with measured steps, Ray looked around the library with a cautious, calm expression for a moment.

Even as he approached, Zamir didn’t lower the book and simply continued reading with the focused intensity of someone completely absorbed in the world of the book.

’What even is he reading?’

Ray was unable to see the book cover properly due to how the receptionist was holding onto it but regardless, that wasn’t his main concern at all.

Soon, he stood in front of the desk and even then, Zamir didn’t flinch at all.

Until,

Thud—!

Ray slammed his hand loudly on the desk, startling the receptionist back to reality and causing the book in his hands to fall to the ground.

"Ah— ye-yes? How can I help you?" Zamir inquired as he jumped to his feet.

Quickly bending down, he snatched his book off the ground and placed it on the desk.

Ray didn’t rush to reply as his gaze drifted towards the book on the desk.

It would seem like the receptionist had been reading a novel.

’Magus Supremacy....?’

That was the title of the book the man had been reading.

It featured a cover with a male who had red hair and different abilities hovering around him.

Noticing his gaze, the receptionist chuckled nervously as he rubbed the back of his head.

"I’m sorry... being alone in this place is boring so I have to find a way to keep myself busy. I didn’t know what else to do other than read novels and this actually interested me."

Ray lifted a brow.

"Really? You know... I’m also a novel reader myself. Just that, I used to read online."

Hearing this, the young man’s eyes lit up almost instantly.

"For real?"

Ray nodded.

Zamir chuckled.

"You know, it’s rare to find a novel reader around here. Everybody is so consumed with looking for good abilities and battling Abberants like, guys, life ain’t that serious. Or maybe it is."

Ray chuckled then turned his gaze to the novel on the desk.

"So... What’s it about? You looked too consumed by the book."

Zamir’s gaze darted towards the book then he lifted it up.

"It’s about a kid who’s called a cripple in a world ruled by magic. Only after his father’s death did he awaken some affinities and from there, he went through brutal trials in order to master these affinities and become the greatest mage that ever lived. It’s a really good book if you have the patience for it."

"Oh? Affinities? Like meta-human abilities?" Ray asked.

Zamir nodded with a small grin on his face.

Ray stared at the book for a few seconds with his gaze drifting to the author’s name.

’KBKayboy huh? What a stupid name for an author. Was this written by a kid? Tsk.’

That was when Zamir’s eyes gleamed and he struck his forehead with his palm.

"My bad... what do you need?"

Hearing the question, Ray jolted back to reality and then looked around him.

That’s right, he had been consumed by the whole stupid novel discussion that he almost forgot what he came here for.

Maybe it was his past, quiet life as a reader resurfacing, but anyway....

"Oh yeah... do you know where I can find books about the history of the Big Four Legacies? There’s not any information about them online and I’m wondering since this is the third biggest library on Alcatraz, I might get some information that’s not online."

Zamir eyed the boy for a few seconds—his gaze narrowing on the Vanguard uniform, then on his face.

Ray took an unconscious step backward, wondering if the receptionist had managed to recognize him.

Then, Zamir smiled.

"Of course. We do have the book. Hang on."

Tapping a button that sat peacefully on the desk, Zamir waited.

Within a second, someone appeared directly beside the Tribrid like he had always been there.

Ray wasn’t spooked because he had felt the atmosphere changing and something—or more accurately, someone—emerging.

"He will lead you to what you seek," Zamir uttered before turning his gaze towards the new arrival.

"...He wants to read the history of the Big Four Legacies, so take him to the section."

Nodding at Zamir, the new figure turned around while gesturing for Ray to follow along.

Unhesitatingly, the Tribrid followed after him but not without glancing behind him to see the receptionist picking his book back up to read.

’Hmph.’

It took a few minutes to navigate the expansive library as the duo moved from section to section—passing by fictional sections where some novels sat there nicely gathering dust, then to some other history sections. They kept moving until the guide stopped before a shelf.

"Here, you will find what you need."

And without waiting for Ray to say anything, the guide vanished from view.

’Teleportation, huh? What a useful ability. I wonder if I will gain something like this one day.’

Shrugging, Ray walked towards the shelf with a calm gait.

Looking around him, there wasn’t a single person in sight, but there was a reading table a few metres away from where he stood.

Reaching into the shelf, he picked a few books and then made his way towards the table.

Settling down, he dropped the books he had picked and, without hesitation, began reading through them one by one.

«Uh... I’m lost. Why are we doing this?» Elyon questioned as Ray skimmed through books after books—not even paying attention to the feats and history of the Big Four.

He was just skimming and skipping pages after pages with a focused expression.

Book after book, he picked and dropped with a focused intensity.

Ray didn’t immediately reply as he snatched another book and peeked into it for several moments, then skimmed through the pages with quite the speed.

«Did we just come here to waste time?»

Finally, Ray sighed.

’No. I came here to find my target.’

«Target? What target?»

Ray didn’t immediately reply as he grabbed the last book and peeked through it.

He was about to drop it again when he paused.

’Ah... could this be it?’