The last rays of the sun faded away, and the evening glow lingered on the horizon.
Before long, the night would once again descend upon the sky.
At this moment, the light was already insufficient.
In the Okam Empire, the capital Monsell was now lighting up its households with magic circles.
The light emitted by the Illumination Spell cast brightness in all directions, restoring the dimming sky to a renewed glow.
Since Grand Sage Bulwil Hadru invented the Illumination Spell, this fundamental Light Magic Circle had been refined and optimized over long years, evolving into a new form.
By placing a Magic Crystal at the center of the mage’s inscribed circle, the Illumination Spell could be activated and kept shining continuously.
When not needed, simply removing the Magic Crystal would stop the light.
For those who couldn’t afford Magic Crystals or couldn’t use them for extended periods, ordinary oil lamps were also a decent lighting method.
Of course, sometimes borrowing the light from a neighbor’s home at night was also a good choice.
Throughout Monsell, there was a bustling night market, and so dedicated street lamps were installed to provide illumination.
These street lamps gave rise to a profession called the [Lamp Lighter].
They were Light Magic users, receiving steady salaries from the Empire, tasked day and night with using their magic to light the city’s lamps.
At this moment, as the street lamps gradually lit up, many weary pedestrians had begun heading home to cook dinner, but still, many lingered in Monsell’s vibrant streets.
Inside a carriage, its owner gazed through the window, eyes following the newly lit street lamps.
The Lamp Lighters lit the lamps and illuminated the darkness.
Suddenly, a Black Robe figure approached the carriage window, his head just able to reach below its edge.
“How’s it going? Any news?”
The carriage owner whispered.
“Reporting, Master, none! At the time, only that Laval boy and the Second Princess were in the room.”
The Black Robe spoke while trailing the carriage.
“We couldn’t plant any eavesdropping devices in advance; that room was assigned by Elliot Laval himself, and he had a dozen Dark Guards posted around.”
“We only know they reached some kind of agreement—probably business-related.”
Hearing this, the carriage owner was silent for a few seconds before saying, “Understood. You may leave.”
“Yes, sir!”
As the Black Robe vanished into a nearby alley, the unremarkable carriage slowly disappeared into the distance.
***
Willis had no knowledge of any of this. Her carriage had already stopped before the grand gates of the Royal Library.
Located near the palace, this was one of the most important institutions in the entire Empire.
The library not only housed countless books from across the continent but also stored many advanced magic and swordsmanship tomes inaccessible to ordinary people—or even most ministers.
It was under constant guard, day and night, heavily fortified.
On the Vistoria Continent, high-level—and even beyond high-level—epic and legendary magic and sword techniques were among an empire’s most precious resources.
No amount of security was excessive.
Willis knew that the publicly accessible spells and techniques here were only those expendable to some degree.
The truly secret magic and advanced swordsmanship were in Emperor Rubas’ hands, hidden somewhere unknown.
Nevertheless, this library’s knowledge was a paradise many dreamed of.
And she, the Imperial Princess, possessed the second-highest reading privileges after the Emperor himself.
The Flame Whip, Fire Phoenix, Air Blade, and Flame Armor spells Willis had learned previously were all recorded within this magnificent library.
Moreover…
Her magic teacher was also here.
Since her transmigration, Willis had been too busy dealing with various powers and dangers to spend much time here.
But now, to strengthen herself and absorb knowledge, she would likely visit frequently.
Of course, she anticipated that before taking a position at the Royal Academy, she would develop her influence in Ushi City.
Tonight, she had come seeking some useful knowledge and to borrow a few books…
And afterward, to visit her magic teacher.
“I should bring a gift for the teacher.”
Just as she was about to enter, Willis turned and asked Victoria, “What do you think would be an appropriate gift?”
“Now?”
Victoria frowned.
The Imperial Princess had come here suddenly without any preparation. If she wanted to bring a gift, wouldn’t it have to be something grabbed quickly from the street?
“Of course now. Otherwise, if I had time to prepare beforehand, I wouldn’t be in such a rush.”
Willis urged Victoria to think about what would be suitable…
“Generally, a simple gift should suffice… too formal might feel distant,” Victoria considered for a few seconds.
“Hmm, you’re right… but what exactly would count as a simple gift?”
Willis asked again.
Victoria thought long and hard, then looked toward Willis.
“If it’s a gift, perhaps your teacher would care more about the magic circle formation you’ve improved.”
Willis was momentarily stunned, then smiled.
“That makes sense. Let’s go.”
With that, Willis headed toward the brightly lit library ahead.
The library was designed as a towering structure—a massive cylindrical building over two hundred meters in diameter from the outside.
Its exterior resembled the whimsical spires of a castle, with windows from which light shone.
Around the tower were numerous corridors filled with soldiers guarding this vital library.
According to her memories, this library stood 152 meters tall, constructed in a tower shape with the largest diameter at the base, exceeding 212 meters.
At the spire sat the most precious volumes.
Though only about 20 meters in diameter, the tower’s peak condensed some of the Empire’s finest knowledge.
Tall as the clouds, firm as a mountain.
Because of its structure, the library was called the [Grand Tower Library], or simply [the Tower].
High above, it symbolized the imperial authority and the laws of this world.
Knowledge that only nobles could access, commoners could only look up at it—the so-called lofty Tower of Knowledge.
The tower’s body was engraved with numerous magic circles and intricate reliefs.
When necessary, these circles could activate to fend off armies or large-scale riots.
Beneath the tower were three platforms, each with twelve steps, totaling thirty-six steps.
Willis, accompanied by Victoria, passed through heavy guards at each step and finally arrived at the massive, ancient door.
Without excessive decoration, the door was simply huge and thick—no ordinary magic could break it open.
In front, an elderly man lazily slept in a chair. Feeling their presence, he immediately opened his eyes.
“Visitors must register for entry and exit… hmm? Imperial Princess, oh, no need, no need, please come in…”
The old man hurriedly tapped the door as Willis cast her Real Eye.
[ A very plain, heavy door, but made of the most expensive Magic Absorption Stone, with extremely high resistance to both magic and physical attacks. Engraving magic circles on it is quite difficult, but this door is already expertly crafted…
It requires a specific magic circle to open, unknown to ordinary people… ]
As the heavy door groaned open, light poured out from within the library, as if hiding incredible secrets.
So dazzling, yet mysterious.
But Willis’ glance was not distracted for even a moment by anything else—only the beautiful young girl descending the spiral staircase beside her caught her full attention.