Is it wrong to try to meet someone in a dungeon?

Returning the things and leaving felt a bit too much like a human being. Although it wasn't exactly compensation for forgetting the things, I still ordered some simple food.

Aside from me, most of the customers resting in the shop were women. The sight of the orc, who looked like a housewife, with her children was quite amusing. They were putting fruit from the plates into their mouths, their young faces beaming with smiles.

"Huh, was this decoration here before?"

As I sat at the counter in the corner of the store, looking around, a white book slipped into my field of vision.

It's standing on the wall behind me... As far as decorations go, it doesn't seem very tasteful.

"Ah, that's... "

Miss Seele, who came to take my order, paused halfway through her sentence and continued before I could ask any questions:

"It seems like a customer forgot it in the store. So I put it here so he can see it when he comes back to get it."

"Oh," I replied listlessly. "How could someone forget such a thick book in a tavern?"

Soon, Miss Seele brought over the cake and black tea, and I chatted with her for a few minutes. It seemed the cat-themed shop assistant had asked Miss Seele to take a break without my permission. Was that alright?

And he even gave a wicked smile.

"So, you're resting and recuperating now?"

"It doesn't sound that good..."

I didn't mention anything about Lily, I just told her that I was feeling a bit listless right now.

It wasn't exactly a slip of the tongue; maybe I just wanted to confide in someone.

I think there's also a touch of shamelessness in that. I'm hoping someone can give me some helpful advice.

Miss Seele stared at me intently, and finally smiled.

"How about we look at some books?"

"Reading?"

"Yes. It seems Mr. Bell doesn't usually read. Why don't we take this opportunity to give it a try?"

Perhaps books can be a good stimulus at times like this, Miss Seele said.

Reading... I never even thought of it. But it's true, maybe it's a good remedy for me right now.

After reading fairy tales about heroes, you always feel that eagerness to try it out.

If engaging with books generates excitement, it might just refresh my current listless state.

"Hmm, that might be a good idea. Thank you, Miss Seele. I've decided to go read a book."

"I'm happy to be of help."

I gratefully accepted Miss Seele's suggestion.

Just as I was thinking that talking to someone would be helpful instead of keeping it to myself, Miss Seele asked me again:

"Is there any book you'd like to read?"

"Probably not. There are some divine books at headquarters; we can borrow them from her..."

Or going to a bookstore would be nice, I was thinking when Miss Seele said, "In that case," and took down the pure white book leaning against the wall.

"Would you like to read this book?"

"Huh? But wasn't this book something another guest left here...?"

"Just remember to return it. Books don't decrease just because you've read them, and besides, this must belong to some adventurer. Perhaps what's written inside can be of help to Mr. Bell."

This is a tavern popular with adventurers, so it's not hard to imagine that the book's owner is here.

In other words, it is precisely because it is the adventurer's personal property that it is more likely to provide a good thrill.

Indeed, these are rare books that cannot be seen elsewhere. Perhaps now is the only time to get to know them.

However, it's a bit much to just touch other people's things without permission...

"No problem. Besides, Mia's mother doesn't seem to like keeping this book at the store. If we could keep it with Mr. Bell, it would be a help to us. ...And..."

Miss Seele said shyly:

"I also want to help Mr. Bell..."

"..."

"This is all I can do, Mr. Bell, so please accept it?"

Hearing this familiar request, I couldn't help but smile wryly.

Since that's the case, then I'll respectfully comply.

Miss Seele's kind gesture made me feel embarrassed, and I didn't want to cruelly refuse, so I decided to accept the book.

When Miss Seele handed me the book, her soft hand touched me, making my heart skip a beat.

"Th-thank you. Uh, well, I'll be going now?"

"Yes. Thank you for coming."

I felt embarrassed and stood up to cover it up.

"The cake was delicious." After saying that, I hurriedly left the store.

It was the same with Miss Eina... No, touching a girl's skin makes me incredibly nervous. My face turned red. Am I really that naive?

"Seele, did you give him that book...?"

"Yes, I gave it to them."

"That's something from the store, after all. Lending it to someone without permission is really unlike something a serious person like Seele would do..."

"You two, haven't you heard that love is blind, meow? It's understandable that Seele might overstep her bounds a little, meow."

The unexpected warmth of Miss Seele's hand made my heart race, and I was eager to get back home.

●

Back at headquarters, I immediately began reading.

The immortals wouldn't be back by now, so I placed the white book I was holding in one hand on the table by myself.

I pulled over a chair and nervously opened the cover, which had no title.

"Autobiography: Magic Mirror, Magic Mirror, I am the fairest of magical girls! ~Bonus Chapter: My Goal is to Be a Magic Master~"

What to do? The very first line already smells like a landmine.

"Modern magic that even goblins understand! Part One"

You can't teach goblin magic...

I wanted to quietly close the cover, but I resisted the urge. I couldn't let Miss Seele's kindness go to waste. I patiently scanned the lines of text.

The beginning was a bit... off, but the content seemed fairly normal.

As the chapter titles suggest, this appears to be a book about magic.

"Oh, great!" I eagerly focused my attention and began reading the text.

"Magic can be broadly divided into two types: innate and acquired. Innate magic, needless to say, refers to magic related to the aptitude or racial foundation of the target. Since ancient times, magical races (magic users) have been able to learn magic at an early age through their latent talents, coupled with training and rituals. Although their attributes have fixed tendencies, they mostly have powerful and large-scale effects."

The text is written in Koine, which I can barely understand.

But what are these tiny characters filling the spaces between each line...?

Classical Chinese... no, is this an equation?

Turn the page.

"The acquired kind is a possibility that sprouts through the medium of 'God's grace,' and it is also a form of self-realization. It has no rules; there are only infinite divergences. It is greatly influenced by 'experience points.'"

It is neither a sacred script nor any kind of demi-human language.

A complex and strange group of symbols with no common shape.

I was pulled into the ocean of literature... words.

Turn the page.

"Magic is interest. This element is especially important for the acquired (the latter). Having an interest in something leads to identification, hatred, longing, lamentation, worship, vows, and desires. The trigger is always within oneself. Under the 'grace of God,' one's heart is revealed."

A painting appeared.

It has a face. It has eyes. It has a nose. It has a mouth. It has ears. It is a human face.

A face with closed eyelids, drawn entirely in black ink. A calligraphic painting.

Turn the page.

"Ask when you need something. Answer when you need something. Seek answers when you want something. A clear mirror that cannot tolerate falsehood and ugliness is already here."

No. It's [my face]. My three-dimensional face, with nothing above my forehead.

No. It's a mask. My other face. Another true feeling (of myself) that I don't know about.

Turn the page.

"Then let's begin."

Her eyelids opened. She could hear my voice.

Deep red eyes, strung together with words, saw right through me. Thin lips, formed from short essays, uttered words.

Turn the page.

"What is magic to me?"

do not know.

However, it seems to be a very powerful thing.

The ultimate technique to defeat monsters. The secret art of resurrection that heroes skillfully employ.

It was strong, intense, cruel, and overwhelming.

A pure longing to use it just once and see for myself.

Turn the page.

"What is magic to me?"

power.

A powerful force.

A massive weapon that even defeated its own weakness.

A great weapon that empowers the weak to rise up and fight against the enemy.

It is neither a reliable shield to protect others, nor a noble power to heal wounds.

It is the power of heroes who break down barriers and pave the way.

Turn the page.

"What is magic to me?"

thing?

What is magic?

It's fire.

When it comes to magic, fire is the first thing that comes to mind.

It is strong, fierce, and hot.

The burning grasslands, billowing smoke and dust, scorching the earth, engulfing everything like a tidal wave, the steam rising and falling, the red flames utterly incongruous with my frail self.

Warmer than anything else, an inextinguishable flame...

I want to become a flame.

"What do you desire from magic?"

Become stronger, and get to that person's side.

Hurry up and get to that person.

Like a ray of light flashing through a gap in the clouds.