Dimensional Librarian

and then we return to the present (Continue form chapter 2)

The Death Knight walk away in silence.

Its heavy boots echoed faintly across the marble, leaving a smear of blood and cracked dignity in its wake. A second Death Knight, the freshly birthed one, followed behind like a loyal apprentice in a very illegal apprenticeship program.

Velgrin stepped out from behind a pillar.

Calm.

So calm it was actually alarming.

He gave Levi a deep bow, as if watching someone summon undead warriors and vaporize a man was just part of a well-structured brunch schedule. Then, without another word, the old Archwizard turned and walked back to his reading alcove, adjusted his seat, and returned to flipping through eldritch scripture like a man browsing a breakfast menu.

Levi, meanwhile, stood in the middle of the aisle.

Frozen.

Still holding his mug of tea like it was the last thing tethering him to sanity.

Internally, he was vibrating at frequencies only dogs and ancient gods could hear.

Externally, he nodded. Slowly. Thoughtfully.

Yes. Yes, everything was fine. The casual necromantic murder and spontaneous head regurgitation were all very standard library behavior. Business as usual.

Then the System pinged.

A little translucent window blinked into view.

System Notification

Second Patron has been eliminated.

Rule-breaker has been dealt with.

Reward granted: +300 EXP

Passive stat increase applied.

Levi choked on his tea. It went down the wrong pipe, launched halfway up the other pipe, and caused a short internal debate about whether lungs were supposed to taste citrus.

He coughed. Wheezed. Wiped his mouth on his sleeve.

Then stared at the screen.

"I got EXP for that?"

No response.

"I mean, I didn't kill him! Technically. The Death Knight did it. I didn't even know I had a Death Knight until twelve minutes ago"

The System chimed again.

System Response:

"Wouldn't you like to know, book boy."

Levi squinted. "Did... did you just quote a meme at me?"

System Response:

"System is joking. From a combat perspective, you have evolved from an atom... to a two atom lifeform."

He blinked. "You mean I'm a molecule now?"

System Clarification:

"No. You are two atoms held together by narrative obligation and questionable luck."

Levi scowled. "Fantastic. Can I punch something now?"

He looked around.

Nope. Too many priceless artifacts. And at least one wizard who might misinterpret enthusiastic punching as a declaration of war.

Instead, he walked over to the reading alcove. It had a modest wooden desk. Simple. Sturdy. Definitely not designed for lifting.

Levi grabbed the edge of the desk with both hands.

He paused.

Then, channeling the vast might of his double-atom status, he heaved.

The desk lifted.

Not by much. Maybe ten centimeters. But he was doing it. With one hand. The other still held his tea.

He grinned. "Holy crap. I'm as strong as an elephant now."

System Correction:

"Incorrect. You are now as weak as an elephant. The eliminated patron could still have turned you into marmalade."

Levi stopped smiling.

Then slowly, carefully, lowered the desk back to the ground.

He picked up his tea. Took a sip.

Stared into the middle distance.

"...Why do I even talk to you?"

No response.

Just the soft rustle of turning pages and a distant groan as the Death Knight returned from corpse disposal duty like a murder janitor.

Levi sighed.

"Yeah. That's what I thought."

Levi stared at the last line of the system message like it had personally insulted his mother.

Levi stood in the middle of the library aisle, hands on his hips, still processing the fact that he now had two kneeling Death Knights, a headless corpse, and a new appreciation for elephant-level strength.

He had questions. Many questions. But none more urgent than:

"System," he said, "why is the second patron have to died?"

System Notification:

Second Patron violated Rule One (No Fighting in the Library).

Penalty: Immediate Existence Revocation.

Response Time: 4.1 seconds.

Customer Satisfaction: Irrelevant.

"I thought the Library was supposed to be peaceful!" Levi snapped.

System Response:

The Library is peaceful.

The patrons are not.

Solution: Selectively prune chaos.

Levi rubbed his temple. "You say that like it's gardening."

System Response:

It is. Of a sort.

Levi pinched the bridge of his nose and looked back toward the reading alcove. Velgrin was reclining on a velvet-lined sofa, one Death Knight standing like a personal butler, the other lurking ominously beside the Mystery section.

"How is that man still reading?"

System Response:

First Patron has achieved partial resonance with the Law of Flame.

Symptoms: Bleeding from eyes, ears, nose, and soul.

Diagnosis: Enlightenment.

Prognosis: Highly flammable.

Levi sighed. "Right. Of course. That makes perfect wait, did you say soul bleeding?"

System Response:

Minor side effect. May result in death, enlightenment, or complete combustion. Possibly all three.

"Thanks, very reassuring." He paced down the aisle, sipping tea that was now lukewarm and comforting only in the way boiled leaf water could be comforting after a murder.

"And you're sure I don't have to clean up that body?"

System Response:

Corpse has been consumed. Soul recycled. Residue converted into promotional materials.

"I'm not even going to ask what that means."

A new prompt appeared in gold lettering:

System Quest: Physical Expansion Required

Now that you have successfully assisted (read: survived) two patrons, the Library must expand its reach.

"Hold on," Levi said. "Assisted? I didn't assist the second one! I accidentally murdered him with a bone axe golem!"

System Response:

Correction: You successfully resolved a potential disruption using forceful diplomacy.

Reward: Advancement unlocked.

Penalty for refusal: DEATH.

Levi made a strangled noise halfway between a laugh and a scream. "You really need to pick a different consequence. This is getting repetitive."

System Notification:

Initiating new mission…

The air shimmered. A translucent golden screen appeared above the Death Knight's head like a video game pop-up ad from hell.

New Main Quest: Establish a Physical Front for the Library of Noctis

Target World: 001 Valen

Objective: Locate and secure a physical location that can serve as a dimensional anchor.

Time Limit: None

Penalty: DEATH

Reward: Access to new patrons, dimensional trade, and additional EXP.

Levi squinted at the fine print.

"Did you just say Valen?"

System Response:

Affirmative. This is the world of the first patron, Velgrin of the Spiral Order.

Levi blinked. Then looked back at Velgrin, still lounging in a halo of quiet firelight and ancient rune glow, as if he wasn't constantly leaking blood from his eyeballs.

"That guy?"

System Response:

Indeed. He will serve as an excellent anchor point for localized dimensional insertion.

"You make it sound like I'm stapling a library to his house."

System Response:

Metaphor: Acceptable.

Stapler not required.

Levi muttered, "Why do I feel like I'm being roped into real estate work against my will?"

As if on cue, the screen updated.

Quest Requirements:

Location must be quiet.

Must be within the capital city.

Must be a place where humans are few, but not zero.

Must be accessible to all.

The Librarian must personally scout the location.

Levi read the list twice.

"...That's oddly specific."

System Response:

Correct. Dimensional harmonics require precise social and metaphysical frequencies.

Also, zoning permits are a bitch.

Levi didn't even blink. "Did you just swear?"

System Response:

System has adapted to host linguistic patterns.

Also, yes. Because this is stupid.

"You said it."

He groaned and sat down on the closest bench, elbow on his knee, mug resting against his cheek.

"So I have to go to Velgrin's world, find a semi-haunted coffee shop or abandoned museum, and turn it into a secret magical book club?"

System Response:

Essentially.

Also: Don't die.

"Very helpful, thank you."

System Notification:

Would you like to initiate dimensional scouting sequence?

Levi stared blankly at the words.

"I don't even have a map."

System Response:

You have something better.

You have Velgrin.

Levi froze.

Then turned slowly to look back down the aisle, where Velgrin had just started humming humming to himself while reading a Novel.

"Oh no," Levi muttered. "You want me to ask him for help."

System Response:

You will.

Or you will die.

Levi drained the rest of his tea.

"That's not a threat anymore. That's just your default punctuation."

He took a slow, resigned sip of his now cold tea, then whispered, "Great. I have a pyro grandpa who bleeds from the eyes form reading a stupid novel"

He stood.

Wobbled.

Considered hiding behind the nearest shelf.

Then forced himself down the aisle toward the alcove, where Velgrin sat . The wizard looked positively serene. Peaceful. Like a grandpa reading Cooking with Infernal Sauce before bed.

"Right," Levi muttered. "Time to weaponize customer service."

He approached slowly, casually. The Death Knight nearby didn't move. It just loomed with professional menace.

Velgrin looked up. His expression softened instantly.

"My lord," he said, setting the book aside with reverent care. "Have you come to deliver another trial?"

Levi blinked. "Trial?"

Velgrin nodded with solemn awe. "Of course. I am prepared."

"You are?"

"I have mentally reviewed every spell in my grimoire, rewritten the formulas for flame compression, and meditated on the structure of lava for three hours."

"…Right."

Velgrin leaned forward. "Am I correct in assuming this trial will be more challenging than the Law of Flame?"

Levi opened his mouth.

Then closed it.

Is this grandpa Mentally Retard now

No I shouldn't correct anything if he think That I'm some sort of divine being that cool too

Then said, "Yes. This time the challenge is… walking."

Velgrin didn't even flinch. "A test of humility. Of movement. Of seeking paths rather than forging them. Profound."

"…Exactly."

He hadn't meant for that to be deep, but hey, who was he to argue?

Levi scratched the back of his neck. "So. About that. The Library wants to expand into your world."

Velgrin's eyes widened. "You wish to descend into mortal society?"

"I… yeah, I need to open a small bookstore in your capital."

Velgrin froze. His breath caught.

"You will walk among us?"

"I mean yes"

The Archwizard stood so fast his chair nearly caught fire. "Where shall I prepare your temple?"

"Temple? No, no, bookstore. Small. Cozy. Like a used-book café but with less coffee and more death law ambiance."

Velgrin's hands trembled with holy excitement. "Then I shall find the location worthy of your descent."

Levi coughed. "Actually, I have to do it myself. Something about harmonic frequencies and metaphysical resonance. Also zoning permits are a bitch."

Velgrin paused.

Then nodded deeply. "Of course. You must walk as a man to teach men."

"Sure. That."

The system chimed again:

System Notification:

Patron interaction proceeding as intended.

Additional dialogue unlocked.

Velgrin stepped closer. "Is there any request you would make of me, my lord?"

Levi blinked. "Uh. Yes. Two things. First, please stop calling me 'my lord.' And second… can I borrow your map?"

Velgrin didn't hesitate. He pulled a rolled parchment from his robe and handed it over like it was an ancient scroll blessed by flame spirits.

Levi unraveled it.

There it was.

The capital city: Eldareth.

Surprisingly modern. Parks. Rivers. Districts. Even a sewage system.

"This looks usable," he muttered.

Velgrin clasped his hands together. "Shall I accompany you on this divine scouting mission?"

"No, I "

Levi glanced at the Death Knights.

I cant take this thing with me right?

"Actually," he said, "yes. Yes, you should come. Just in case I meet another idiot with a sword and a death wish."

Velgrin bowed. "I shall not fail you, Librarian of Eternity."

Levi inhaled slowly. "Let's just go with Levi."

Velgrin's lips twitched like he had just been granted a secret name of power.

"Levi," he whispered with awe. "Short for… Levithan?"

Yeah he is Mentally Retard now

"…Sure."

Levi cleared his throat.

"Oh, before we go," he said, patting his pockets like a man stalling a tax collector. "There's… uh… one more thing."

Velgrin straightened immediately. "Another trial?"

"No, not a trial. More like a… membership."

Velgrin blinked. "Membership?"

"Sure. Let's go with that."

He raised a hand, silently praying the System would do its thing.

It did.

A soft ding echoed through the air.

A small wooden box, black and lacquered, shimmered into existence on the table beside the reading alcove. No fanfare. No glowing lights. Just a little pop sound like a toaster going off.

Levi flipped open the lid.

Inside, nestled in dark velvet, was a sleek black metal card. No numbers. No writing. Just a faint symbol embossed into the center a stylized open book, its pages aflame with curling, elegant lines of gold.

It looked like a credit card designed by an ancient cult that worshipped bookstores.

Levi picked it up with two fingers, careful not to smudge the shine.

"This," he said, offering it with all the ceremony he could fake, "is your Library Permit."

Velgrin didn't take it at first.

He stared.

His breathing hitched.

"…It's beautiful."

"It's functional," Levi corrected.

Velgrin accepted the card like it was a blessing, holding it reverently in both hands. "It feels… heavy."

"It's made of condensed reality. Or tungsten. I don't know. Either way, don't lose it."

Velgrin's fingers tightened slightly. "And this grants me return access?"

"Once per month," Levi said. "Forty eight hours each time. Unless I say otherwise."

Velgrin's head bowed low. "Then I shall cherish this… token of favor… as I would a divine relic."

Levi opened his mouth to downplay it, then paused.

You know what?

Let him have it.

"Yes," Levi said, voice suddenly deeper, smoother. "Guard it well. It marks you as a patron of the Library of Noctis. Not everyone is given that chance."

Velgrin's eyes gleamed. "I shall not fail this honor."

System Notification blinked into view in Levi's mind:

Permit Granted:

First Patron – Velgrin of the Spiral Order

Monthly Access Enabled

A second message followed:

Warning: Permit can be revoked with Librarian's approval.

"Pardon, my lord?"

"Nothing."

He waved it off. "Alright, gather your gear. We'll head out after your time here is finish"

Velgrin tucked the black card into a hidden pocket, patting it with the care of a man carrying a fragment of eternity. "Shall I bring ceremonial robes?"

"…Maybe just something with pockets."

"As you command."

Levi turned, walking down the aisle toward the dimensional staging platform that had conveniently appeared behind a copy of Napping With Necromancers: A Cozy Guide to Sleep Magic.

As he walked, Luna the cat padded beside him, tail high.

He whispered down to her, "Okay. So now I've got a wizard, a death knight"

Luna meowed.

Levi sighed. "Yeah. That tracks."

Behind him, Velgrin whispered a prayer to the great Librarian of Flame and Ink, clutching the black card to his chest like salvation itself.

And so, preparations for Levi's first off-site errand began… with quiet panic, borrowed robes, and a Library card that could probably summon angels if swiped too hard.