Watching Ailiya’s late and somewhat perfunctory response, Ian didn’t feel awkward. Instead, he found it somewhat amusing.
He pulled over a nearby high wooden stool and sat down, his hands crossed over his knees as he studied the silver-haired girl with interest.
“To be honest, Miss Ailiya, you are quite different from every other maid I’ve seen… no, I should say you are different from everyone I have ever met.”
Ian pushed up his glasses, his tone conversational. “You usually look so cold, showing no warmth to anyone, yet your efficiency at work is incredibly high.”
Ailiya maintained her previous posture, not even lifting her eyelids as she replied flatly, “I simply am not good at idle talk or meaningless socializing.”
“I can tell.” Ian smiled, unfazed, his gaze naturally falling on the thick book in Ailiya’s hands.
“Not only are you skilled in combat, Miss Ailiya, but you also enjoy reading. I thought demi-humans preferred physical activity.”
“I am merely seeking to improve myself and master useful knowledge,” Ailiya answered calmly.
Ian leaned forward slightly, catching the title on the cover.
“Oh? *A Guide to Logistics Chores and Life Magic*?” Ian raised an eyebrow, his tone shifting to one of surprise and familiarity. “So you’re reading this book. It’s a best-selling classic on the market.”
Before Ailiya could respond, Ian’s academic passion flared up, and he began to spout information.
“The author of this book is quite a legend. She was originally a Mage in the Royal Capital, but unfortunately, her talent for magic was mediocre, and she could never achieve a breakthrough.”
“Later, she simply gave up the path of a caster and switched to developing logistics and convenience-type spells.”
“But no one expected her to simplify those profound and difficult magical theories and apply them all to daily household chores.”
“For example, the Cleaning Spell and the Dust Removal Array that many people use today were all refined by her.”
As Ian rambled on, the system notification in Ailiya’s mind was in the critical stage of its progress bar.
“Yes, this book is indeed quite inspiring,” Ailiya replied dismissively with her eyes closed.
Then, she frowned slightly and interrupted him in a toneless voice, “Furthermore, Mr. Ian, could I trouble you to be quiet for a moment?”
Ian froze, then rubbed his nose helplessly, lowering his voice with a chuckle. “Haha, sorry, sorry. I got a little carried away.”
“After staying in this manor for so long, it’s rare to meet a fellow reading enthusiast. I accidentally talked a bit too much.”
“Take your time. I won’t disturb you.”
Silence returned to the library.
There was only the occasional rustle of turning pages and the distant chirping of birds outside the window.
About fifteen minutes passed.
**[Experience Gained: Maid +150]**
**[Experience Gained: Warlock +50]**
**[Skill Learned: Life Magic — Cleaning Spell (Lv. 1)]**
Accompanied by the final crisp notification in her mind, Ailiya finally finished digesting the gains from the entire book.
She slowly opened her eyes and gently placed the book on the small side table.
Turning her head slightly, her gaze landed on Ian, who was not far away.
“Mr. Ian,” Ailiya suddenly spoke, her voice exceptionally clear in the quiet library.
Ian’s pen paused. He looked up in surprise at Ailiya, who had taken the initiative to speak. “Yes? Miss Ailiya.”
Ailiya didn’t answer his question but looked at him directly, her eyes carrying a well-measured hint of curiosity.
“You mentioned before that you were a student at a magic academy,” Ailiya asked. “Which academy are you currently attending?”
Ian put down his pen. Hearing the question, he gave a self-deprecating smile and straightened the messy drafts on the table.
“Me? I’m a student of Arcadia.”
Upon hearing this, a rare flash of surprise crossed Ailiya’s calm, ice-blue eyes.
According to the *General History of the Continent* and travelogues she had read before, Arcadia Academy was one of the top holy lands for casters on the continent.
“That is quite surprising.”
Ailiya looked at him, her tone carrying a hint of inquiry. “From what I know, those who can attend Arcadia Academy are either wealthy or noble—mostly royalty, aristocrats, or geniuses with extraordinary talent.”
“Even for poor students from humble backgrounds, if they manage to get in, the academy provides generous support funds. High-ranking Nobles even take the initiative to offer sponsorships.”
Ailiya tilted her head slightly. “If that is the case, Mr. Ian, why would you come to the Kastian manor to work as a part-time tutor for next semester’s tuition?”
Hearing this, the composure on Ian’s face stiffened before turning into a helpless, bitter smile.
“Miss Ailiya, you really do read a lot to know even that.” Ian sighed, leaning back against his chair.
“But reality isn’t as glamorous as what’s written in books. What you described is the treatment reserved for the main campus of Arcadia.”
“Main campus?”
“Yes.” Ian spread his hands and chuckled at himself. “Arcadia is a massive magical faction with many branch academies established all over the world.”
“I am nothing more than an ordinary freshman at a remote branch. I have no prominent family background or earth-shattering magical talent. The academy’s generous support policies naturally don’t reach me.”
“So, I have to come out and pick up odd jobs to earn my tuition and living expenses.”
“I see.” Ailiya nodded slightly in understanding.
Having opened up, the atmosphere relaxed a little.
Ailiya seized the opportunity to steer the conversation toward what she was truly interested in.
“However, even for a branch, Arcadia’s teaching foundation must far exceed that of ordinary places.”
Ailiya leaned forward slightly, her tone like that of a student seeking guidance.
“I have seen in some miscellaneous books that Arcadia has a very basic but extremely rigorous practical spell called ‘Appraisal.’ I wonder if Mr. Ian is skilled in it?”
“Appraisal?” Ian blinked, then waved his hand with a laugh. “I wouldn’t say I’m skilled, but as a mandatory basic course at the academy, I have certainly mastered it.”
The moment the topic turned to professional magical knowledge, Ian’s desire to share—typical of a good student—surfaced.
“Actually, the principle of Appraisal is simply to project one’s own magic power into the target object. Through the feedback of the magic circuit, one can analyze the material, age, or the magical attributes it contains.”
At this point, Ian’s expression became more serious, and he specifically warned her, “However, Miss Ailiya, if you ever have the chance to learn this magic in the future, you must remember one absolute taboo.”
“Appraisal can be used on weapons, herbs, ores, and even unknown magic items.”
“But it must never be used on a living target without permission.”
Ian pushed his glasses up, his tone very solemn. “Because magic detection brings a very strong sensation of being peered into, much like being stripped naked in public.”
“If used on a person, they will notice immediately. In the magic world, this is considered an extremely serious offense and provocation. If handled poorly, it can lead directly to a duel and loss of life.”
“I appreciate the lesson; that is indeed important common sense.” Ailiya nodded as if enlightened, then changed the subject to her real goal.
“Then, when using it on inanimate objects, how is the magic power constructed into an analysis circuit at the moment of contact?”
“Oh, that. It’s actually not complicated. Look, first, the magic power must flow from the fingertips…”
Ian didn’t notice Ailiya’s true intentions at all, merely thinking he had met a fellow enthusiast eager for magical knowledge.
He even enthusiastically picked up a quill and drew a basic magic construction sketch on parchment, explaining the casting nodes and magic flow of Appraisal in detail.
Ailiya listened quietly, nodding occasionally or throwing out a very precise question to guide Ian into a deeper explanation.
As Ian spoke incessantly, familiar translucent system notification boxes began to flicker at the edge of Ailiya’s vision.
**[Mage ‘Ian’ is communicating the magic — Appraisal — to you.]**
**[Time: 60 minutes]**
**[Learning Progress: 12%… 25%… 48%…]**
Before long, time slipped away quietly.
“…As long as you master this frequency of magic feedback, you can get basic appraisal results.” Ian finished the last point of knowledge, feeling his throat go dry.
He subconsciously turned to look out the window, only to realize the sky had darkened and the afterglow of the sunset was gradually fading.
“Oh dear, look at me. Once I start talking about magic theory, I can’t stop.”
Ian patted his forehead sheepishly and quickly gathered the books on the table.
“Well, Miss Ailiya, it’s getting late. I still have to give lessons to Young Master Leo tomorrow.”
Ailiya sat on the sofa, watching Ian’s back as he hurriedly packed his things, a faint light flickering in the depths of her eyes.
She nodded, and on her usually cold face, a trace of a smile appeared. “Yes, this was a very pleasant exchange, Mr. Ian. Have a safe walk back.”
“See you tomorrow, Miss Ailiya.” Ian waved with a smile and walked out of the library with his books.
As the heavy oak door closed with a click, Ailiya was once again alone in the library.
At that exact second, the final crisp system notification rang in her mind.
**[Learning Progress: 100%]**
**[Skill Learned: [Warlock] Appraisal (Lv. 1)]**
Hearing the sound, Ailiya looked down at her fair palm. With a slight movement of her fingers, a faint but extremely pure magical light flashed at her fingertips.
With just a casual chat, she had obtained an incredibly useful investigative skill for free.
Ailiya slowly closed her fingers, grasping that spark of magic. The corners of her mouth curled up uncontrollably into a satisfied arc.
In the game, the Appraisal used by NPCs and the Appraisal used by Players were fundamentally different.
This is lowkey one of the best game systems in a novel ever bro