Dimensional Librarian

The Library of Noctis was quiet. No chaos, no combat. Just the steady flicker of lantern light and the soft rustle of pages being turned.

Velgrin was still seated in the reading alcove, calmly flipping through the same book he'd been absorbed in for hours. He looked content, focused, and entirely unbothered by the previous murder, the summoned Death Knights, or the blood that had been scrubbed off the floor by unseen forces.

Levi sat at the far end of the library, elbows on a narrow table, staring at the remaining tea in his cup. It had gone cold a long time ago. He took a sip anyway, then made a face.

A small notification appeared in his vision, centered and faintly glowing.

System Notification:

Patron time remaining: 1 hour.

"Right," Levi muttered. "One hour until I go play explorer in a world that probably has monsters, cults, or exploding chickens."

He stared across the vast interior of the library, eyes flicking back to Velgrin. He didn't look like he was preparing for anything. Levi, on the other hand, had no equipment, no powers beyond talking to a sarcastic System, and a vague understanding that if he died, there wouldn't be a respawn button.

He cleared his throat and asked aloud, "System. If I'm about to walk into a dangerous world, do you have anything to defend myself with?"

A single ping echoed.

System Response:

Yes. Equipping now.

Before Levi could question it, his current outfit disappeared. It was replaced by a full black suit with a tailored fit and a long black coat that fell neatly past his knees. The fabric felt smooth but weighty, like formal wear designed for high-end business meetings.

He stood and adjusted the coat. It moved cleanly with him. The buttons were simple but polished, and the suit had a faint shine under the library's lighting.

"…Huh," he said. "I kinda look handsome."

System Response:

You look handsome because of passive skill: Librarian's Charisma.

Without this skill, you would appear slightly above average.

Levi paused, then gave a slow nod. "So you're saying it's not the suit. It's me."

Levi stared down at the black coat and suit again. It looked good sharp cut, smooth texture, probably made from whatever fabric rich villains wore in spy movies.

But after a second round of patting the shoulders and flicking the lapels, he scowled.

"Okay, System," he said. "Real question. What exactly can this outfit do?"

System Response:

Physical resistance: same as an ordinary coat.

Magical resistance: also equivalent to a normal coat.

Summary: Cosmetic. Provides dignity, not defense.

Levi blinked. "Wait. So this entire thing… is just normal?"

System:

Correct.

"No enchantments? No flame resistance? No secret pockets that open into pocket dimensions?"

System:

No. It is simply a well made outfit.

Levi spread his arms. "Then why bother changing me into this? Why not just hand me a 'Hi, I'm Killable' sign and shove me through the door?"

System:

Appearance affects perception.

Perception affects behavior.

Your current look communicates authority and stability.

"So you gave me a fancy funeral outfit to make people assume I'm powerful?"

System:

Precisely.

Levi walked in a small circle, trying to process that. "And if I get hit with a sword? Or a fireball?"

System:

You will likely die.

But you will die with dignity.

"Helpful," he muttered. "So the enemy will at least respect me while I explode."

System:

Presentation matters.

"Not as much as body armor!"

Levi pointed at the coat. "You could've at least made this fireproof."

System:

It is wrinkle resistant.

"I'm going to die in wrinkle resistant formalwear."

System:

Elegantly.

Levi sat back down, face in his hands. "You really don't understand the concept of 'gear up,' do you?"

System:

I understand.

I simply prioritize differently.

Instead of replying, the System sent a new notification.

System Inventory Update:

Item Equipped: Invincible Black Leather Shoes.

Levi looked down. The shoes were polished, pitch black, and clearly expensive.

They didn't look different from what someone might wear to a banquet or a funeral, but the name alone told him something else was going on.

"What's special about these?" he asked.

System:

Invincible Black Leather Shoes

Durability: Absolute.

Effect: Cannot be damaged or destroyed, even by divine class attacks.

He tilted his foot experimentally. Still felt like a normal shoe. Still fit perfectly.

"And if I get hit by a massive attack? Fireball? Lightning bolt? What happens?"

System:

Your foot will remain unharmed.

"…Just the foot?"

System:

Correct.

Levi stared into the air for a moment, then rubbed his eyes.

"So I get vaporized, but my shoes stays behind. That's supposed to be helpful?"

System:

You requested defense. The item qualifies under durability.

Also, footwear is essential for long distance travel.

"Right. Because having immortal foot is going to save my life."

System:

It will improve posthumous identification.

Levi sighed. "Thanks, fucker."

System:

No pleeeeeblem.

He narrowed his eyes. "That's not even a word."

System:

Adapted response based on host's tone. Sarcasm integrated.

He sat back down and leaned against the table, arms crossed. "So I've got a formal outfit that won't stop a paper cut and shoes that won't break. Anything else?"

No response. Just silence and faint library ambience.

Levi reached down and straightened one of the coat sleeves. The outfit did feel good. Even if it wouldn't help in a fight, it at least made him look like someone important. Someone in control. Maybe that would buy him a few seconds before someone stabbed him.

He finished the rest of the tea, set the mug aside, and took a breath.

System Hint:

If host successfully anchors the Library, further rewards will be unlocked.

"Thanks, I guess ?"

.

.

.

.

.

.

Levi paced.

Not dramatically. Not even energetically. It was more of a stressed shuffle across the marble floor while mumbling to himself and glancing at Velgrin every five seconds like the man might suddenly burst into flames.

The Archwizard, naturally, remained where he had been for the last several hours calm, unreadable, and far too invested in a book that Levi still couldn't see the cover of. It could have been a cookbook. It could have been a death manual. The man's expression didn't change.

Levi paused mid step and looked down at his shoes.

Still shiny. Still flawless. Still completely invincible, apparently.

"Great," he muttered. "If I get vaporized in the next twenty four hours, someone's going to find two untouched shoes and assume I just exploded from ego."

He resumed pacing, coat swishing slightly as he moved. Despite everything, the outfit did feel good. The fabric didn't itch. The fit was perfect. It even breathed well probably helpful if he got stressed enough to sweat through every layer.

Still. He was about to step into a new world. Not figuratively. Literally. A whole different plane of existence, full of unpredictable people, uncertain politics, and unknown threats.

And he didn't have a weapon.

He stopped and glanced toward the reading alcove where one of the Death Knights stood silently beside Velgrin like a haunted librarian's bodyguard.

Could he bring one of those?

He considered it.

Then immediately dismissed the thought.

"They'd definitely freak people out," he said quietly. "Hard to establish positive community engagement when your assistant looks like a bone-plated executioner."

Levi rubbed his forehead, then took a seat on a nearby bench. His cold tea was still there, and despite being more symbolic than refreshing at this point, he took a sip.

Still cold. Still bitter. Still somehow grounding.

He leaned back and sighed.

"System," he said.

System Response:

Patron time remaining: 10 minutes.

Levi stood again, brushing imaginary dust from his coat, and walked down the aisle toward Velgrin.

The wizard looked up immediately, setting the book down with deliberate care. His expression was respectful, almost reverent.

"Time's up," Levi said. "Let's go to your world."

Velgrin rose in one smooth motion and gave a respectful bow. "Yes, my lord."

Levi groaned softly. "Stop calling me that. Just Levi. Or maybe… Mr. Levi. We'll workshop it."

Velgrin nodded once, serious. "Understood, Mr. Levi."

Before Levi could offer further commentary, a faint chime echoed in his mind.

System Notification:

Library Permit now functions as a communicator.

Say patron's name aloud to initiate contact.

Only the Librarian may initiate calls.

Levi raised an eyebrow. "So they can't call me?"

System:

Correct.

"That's… oddly one sided."

System:

Control of communications is vital for maintaining narrative authority.

Also, you'd never get any reading done.

Levi snorted. "I barely get any reading done now."

He folded his arms, glancing at Velgrin again. The man was already prepared staff in hand, robe adjusted, an air of calm waiting on his shoulders. As if traveling between dimensions was just a scheduled appointment.

Levi, on the other hand, had no idea what to expect. What would the people be like? Would they recognize him? Could they sense his supposed power? Would they question his arrival? Would someone throw a fireball at him before he finished a sentence?

A dozen anxious thoughts chased each other across his mind like rowdy cats.

He took another sip of tea and tried to focus.

"One more thing," he said. "How do they return to the Library? Once they leave?"

System Response:

Patrons may access the Library through the physical front once it is established.

The Librarian can open the back door, which links to the Library proper.

Access limited to once per month per patron, unless otherwise permitted.

"So they show up at a front store," Levi repeated slowly, "and I… what, buzz them in?"

System:

Essentially. The Librarian must manually grant entry using the Permit.

This ensures consistency, security, and story control.

"Right. So basically…" Levi gestured vaguely. "It's a VIP entrance."

System:

With metaphysical perks.

Levi stared at the air for a long moment.

Then muttered, "Right. Still sounds like a fire hazard."