Adom's smile grew increasingly strained as Miss Grimclaw examined Professor Mirwen's card for what must have been the eighth time. The goblin librarian held it up to the light, squinted at it, turned it over, and then fixed Adom with another piercing stare from behind her tiny silver spectacles.

He refused to fidget. Or blink. Though his face was starting to hurt.

The great archivist of Xerkes' library sat perched on her elevated chair, which still left her at eye level with most humans' chests. Today she wore her usual severe gray dress, complete with a chain of brass keys that clinked softly whenever she moved.

"Curious," she said finally. "Most curious."

Five thousand years ago, her ancestors had communicated primarily through grunts and aggressive gestures.

Like most goblins, they'd lived in warrens deep underground, raiding surface settlements for food and shiny trinkets. This wasn't even prejudice - it was simple historical fact. Before the Great Integration, goblins and orcs hadn't even possessed written languages of their own. Even now, most of her kind preferred the simplicity of tribal life, viewing reading as suspicious magic and formal education as a waste of perfectly good raiding time. The few goblins who ventured into human cities usually worked as craftsmen or merchants, their natural cunning turned to trade rather than academics.

Yet here was Miss Grimclaw, not just literate but probably the most educated person in the building - and everyone knew it.

She'd become something of a celebrity in academic circles, her papers on magical theory cited in universities across three continents, despite her never casting a single spell herself.

The running joke was that she'd memorized every book in the library just by glaring at them long enough. She'd earned her position through decades of ruthless dedication, proving that a goblin could not only match human scholars but surpass them. Her existence was considered a fascinating anomaly by many researchers - though none dared suggest such a thing to her face.

"Professor Mirwen was quite clear about-" Adom began.

"I can read," Miss Grimclaw cut him off, tapping one long green finger against the card. "The question, Mr. Sylla, is why a second-year student requires access to fourth-year restricted materials." Her eyes narrowed. "Particularly one with your... attendance record of late."

Adom's smile threatened to crack. Of course she'd know about his missed classes. Miss Grimclaw knew everything that happened in Xerkes. Some students swore she had a network of mice spies. Others insisted she could read minds.

The truth was probably worse: she just paid attention.

Adom cleared his throat. "Actually, I was thinking of switching to battle magic."

Miss Grimclaw looked him up and down with the sort of careful assessment usually reserved for particularly dubious ancient texts. "Is that so? Mr. Harbinski will miss you terribly in the theoretical studies section. You two were quite the fixture here." She adjusted her spectacles. "Until recently."

"Sam will adapt," Adom said, trying to keep his voice light. "He's got a new theory about elemental resonance to keep him company."

Something flickered across Miss Grimclaw's sharp features - not quite a smile, but perhaps its scholarly cousin. She finally handed the card back, her brass keys jingling. "Fourth-year battle magic materials are in Section R, third floor, east wing. And naturally, this grants you access to third-year materials as well."

"Thank you, Miss Grimclaw."

"Good to see you back in the library, Mr. Sylla." She paused, then added with brutal frankness, "Though I must say, you don't strike me as particularly suited for combat magic. You seem more the type to get a paper cut and require immediate medical attention."

"Ouch."

"Off you go then," she said, already turning back to her work. "Try not to bleed on any of the books."

Adom climbed the stairs to the third floor, joining the steady stream of students heading to their favorite study spots.

The Library of Xerkes wasn't the biggest in the world - not even close, really. The elves had their crystal archives, and the dwarves their endless underground vaults. But for humans? This was as good as it got.

Eleven million books, scrolls, and manuscripts, give or take.

Not bad for a species that only really got into proper magic a few thousand years ago. While other human schools had risen and fallen throughout the ages, Xerkes kept standing, kept collecting. These days, every graduating mage worth their salt added at least one book to the collection. Some obligation about "continuing knowledge" or whatever.

He passed the first-year section, where kids still struggled with basic theory. The usual crowd hunched over their texts, looking appropriately miserable. A few older students floated near the ceiling on platforms of air, browsing the higher shelves.

The alchemy section was tucked away in the east wing. Fewer students here - most preferred their magic theoretical and explosion-free. The books looked more worn too, like they'd seen some action themselves.

"'Paracelsus's Incomplete Works,'" Adom muttered, remembering Mia's words. The search runes carved into the shelves flickered to life - one of Xerkes' better ideas for managing eleven million books. No one had time to dig through endless shelves like some kind of literary archaeologist.

The runes pulsed once, twice, then a soft blue glow appeared several shelves away. Third-year section.

He reached up and pulled down the glowing volume. The leather binding was worn smooth by countless hands before his, and something about it felt... heavy.

"Right then," he muttered. "Let's see what you're hiding."

Adom found a quiet corner and set the book down on a reading desk. Page 394. He opened it carefully, the aged paper crackling slightly under his fingers. The page looked ordinary enough - just another dense block of alchemical theory that made his eyes want to glaze over.

Right. Mana weaving. He took a slow breath, gathering his magic.

First, a thin stream through the page's core. He channeled his mana carefully, like threading a needle. Too much force and he'd probably set the thing on fire. Not exactly the way to stay on Miss Grimclaw's good side.

The mana sank into the page, and he felt a slight... resonance?

Now for the tricky part.

Spread it like a web. He extended his magic outward from the center in delicate strands, counting under his breath. One-two-three, pulse. One-two-three, pulse. The rhythm had to be exact, Mia had said.

For a moment, nothing happened. Then, like water seeping through paper, text began appearing in the margins. Cramped, careful handwriting filled every available space, diagrams squeezed between paragraphs, arrows connecting concepts.

"Well," Adom whispered, leaning forward with growing excitement, "hello there."

Hours slipped by as Adom lost himself in the hidden notes. Whoever had written them wasn't just explaining concepts - they were connecting them, showing how different aspects of alchemy flowed into each other. Things he'd struggled with for months suddenly clicked into place.

The anonymous annotator moved far beyond fourth-year material. Their explanations touched on advanced theory Adom had only glimpsed in passing references, but somehow made it feel accessible. Like building blocks, each concept supporting the next.

He scribbled his own notes frantically, mind racing with possibilities. The section on resonance frequencies in transformation arrays alone would revolutionize his approach to several experiments he'd been stuck on.

When his pocket watch chimed the hour, Adom blinked in surprise. The library had grown quieter, afternoon sunlight slanting through the high windows. His neck ached from hunching over the book.

Miss Grimclaw looked up as he approached her desk, the book clutched carefully in his hands.

"I'd like to borrow this one, please." He placed 'Paracelsus's Incomplete Works' on her desk.

She adjusted her spectacles, examining the spine. "Interesting choice, Mr. Sylla. Most students find Paracelsus rather... dense."

"It's surprisingly clear once you get into it," he said carefully.

Something flickered in her eyes - knowledge, perhaps? - but she simply nodded and reached for her ledger. "One month, as usual. Do try to return it in the same condition, unlike that unfortunate incident with 'Basic Botanical Brewing' last term."

"The..." Adom blinked, momentarily confused. What incident was she talking about...?

Then it hit him. "Oh! Right, that." The mushrooms. How could he forget? The book's diagrams sprouting actual glowing fungi right there in the library, Miss Grimclaw's face turning an impressive shade of purple. He'd spent weeks' worth of allowance paying for the cleanup and restoration.

In another life.

"I'll take excellent care of it," Adom assured Miss Grimclaw, securing the book in his bag. He glanced at his pocket watch again and winced slightly. He still needed to get to the Club before their session ended - Hugo would be there, and he needed to arrange a meeting with Professor Kim.

*****

Adom walked through the school corridors, dodging students and floating equipment. His mind kept circling back to the same problems: How to convince Hugo? When could he see Kim again? And the bigger question that made his stomach turn - what if the professor already knew about the weapon potential and didn't care?

He almost walked into a first year, mumbling something about Tuesday's notes, and kept moving.

Even if Kim refused to listen, even if Adom somehow managed to destroy the prototype... well, Kim was still Kim. The same brilliant mind that created it once could just create it again. How do you stop something like that?

"Watch it!" someone yelped as Adom nearly collided with them at the corner.

"Sorry, sorry," he mumbled, sidestepping. His reflection in a passing window looked pale. The professor had to listen. He had to. The alternative was...

He shook his head. One thing at a time. First, he needed to find Hugo.

Adom pushed open the door and stepped into the Combat Athletics Club. The sharp smell of sweat, leather, and polish hit him - and he realized, with mild concern, that he was actually starting to like it. When had that happened?

"Hey Adom!" called Petra, towel around her neck, heading for the showers.

"Later, Adom," nodded Kaius, packing up his gear.

He spotted Phil by the weapon racks, pulling on his jacket. "Phil, have you seen Hugo?"

"Yeah, he's over there," Phil pointed toward the practice mats. "Helping the new one with his form."

"Thanks."

Stepping around a pair of exhausted-looking third-years, Adom headed for the mats. The sound of someone being thrown onto them, followed by Hugo's patient "No, like this," drifted over.

Adom watched Hugo spot Damus on the bench press. The new kid was pushing way more than Adom expected - and when Damus noticed him watching, he somehow managed to push even harder, face turning red with effort.

"Eight... nine..." Hugo counted steadily. "Last one. Make it count."

Is he trying to prove something? Adom shifted his weight, deciding to let them finish. No point interrupting Hugo mid-training - especially when he needed a favor.

The Wei Club.

*****

After the meal, they lingered at Wei's for a while, trading stories and laughter. Adom made a mental note to bring Sam and Eren here sometime - they'd love the cooking just as much. One by one, they started heading back to Xerkes, until only Hugo and Adom remained.

Hugo fell into step beside him on the walk back. After a few moments of companionable silence, he cleared his throat. "Alright, out with it."

"What?"

"Something's been on your mind. You kept glancing at me all through dinner like you wanted to say something." Hugo's expression grew serious. "Listen, if those kids from before are giving you trouble again-"

Ah.

Adom couldn't help but chuckle. "No one's bullying me, Hugo."

"You sure? Because lately you've seemed... I don't know, overwhelmed? Even during training." Hugo ran a hand through his hair. "Kaius told me to give you space, said you might be going through something, but..." He stopped walking, turning to face Adom. "Look, I know I'm not exactly the wise sage type, but if you need someone to talk to, I'm here. We all are."

The sincerity in Hugo's voice caught Adom off guard. It was touching, really - this teenager trying his best to be a supportive older brother figure. The irony of the situation wasn't lost on him; here was Hugo, probably seventeen or eighteen, worried about someone who had lived through nearly eight decades in another life. But he couldn't exactly explain that, could he?

"I appreciate it," Adom said carefully, fighting back an amused smile. "Really. But I promise, I'm okay."

He wasn't. Not really. But he hoped to be.

Hugo studied his face for a moment longer, clearly not entirely convinced. "If you say so. Just... remember what I said, alright? You don't have to deal with everything alone."

In the city's central district, the afternoon crowds flowed around them - merchants calling their wares, children chasing each other between market stalls, the distant sound of a street musician's flute.

"So what was it you wanted to tell me?" Hugo asked, sidestepping a cart loaded with vegetables.

Adom watched a couple of pigeons fighting over a dropped piece of bread while he gathered his thoughts. A group of students passed by, their voices mixing with the general bustle of the street.

He took a breath. No point in overthinking it. "Could you arrange a meeting with Professor Kim for me?"

Hugo blinked. Blinked again. Then burst out laughing, drawing curious glances from passersby.

"Sorry, sorry!" He wiped his eyes, still chuckling. "Whew. And here I thought you were dying or something." He adjusted his glasses, grinning. "Of course you can meet the professor. Actually, I knew you'd want to be his assistant eventually. I'm in my sixth year now, and I'm planning to spend next year dungeon raiding, so he'll need someone to replace me anyway." He nudged Adom with his elbow. "We both think you'd be perfect for it. No need to be so anxious about asking to meet him - he's been wanting to talk to you too."

Ah.

Adom kept quiet as Hugo rambled on. He was completely wrong about Adom's motivations, but he'd achieved his goal anyway.

Maybe he needed to stop making everything so complicated when it could be as simple as just asking.

"So, when do you want me to set up the meeting? Professor Kim usually has time in the mornings, before his first class-" Hugo paused mid-sentence when he realized Adom had stopped walking.

"You're not coming?"

"Just remembered something I need to deal with," Adom said, already turning in the opposite direction.

"Oh. Well, I'll let you know about the meeting then?"

"Thanks, Hugo."

They parted ways at the crossroads, Hugo's footsteps fading into the crowd while Adom headed down the side street.