The Orion Academy Library was a cathedral of knowledge.
Seven stories of spiraling shelves, floating platforms connected by crystalline bridges, reading nooks tucked into alcoves that seemed to exist in their own pocket dimensions. The air smelled like old paper and concentrated mana—thousands of books, scrolls, and data crystals packed into a space that defied normal architecture.
Kael approached the main desk with his technique tag in hand.
The librarian was a severe woman in her sixties—gray hair pulled back so tight it looked painful, spectacles that magnified her eyes to uncomfortable proportions, and an expression that suggested she'd personally executed students for returning books late.
"Reward collection?"
"Yes. Heaven Grade technique."
Her magnified eyes narrowed.
"Identification."
Kael held up his wristband. She scanned it with a device that beeped once, twice, three times—each beep accompanied by a small frown that deepened the lines around her mouth.
