CH699

Uh, Myriad? What the hell is all of this?

<Looks like someone’s finally entered their popular phase, I’m sure you’re very flattered.>

That’s one word for it I guess.

There had to be a thousand people waiting outside the library when he arrived that day, all of them either locking onto him out of recognition or else seeing him for the first time but picking up on the reaction of others, with the only thing that kept him from being swarmed being some of the guards and librarians having come outside to bring order to things, with the highest ranked among them coming over to greet him.

“While I don’t personally mind, in the future I’d appreciate some notice if you’re planning to host an event here,” Killi told him as she surveyed the rest. “Although I suppose any enthusiasm they have to learn is exactly what the building is for.”

“Ah, sorry Killi, I really wasn’t expecting this when I said I’d be willing to give some people some help. I thought there’d be maybe twenty again, not this.”

“Ha, you’ve underestimated by quite the amount but thankfully we got some heads up. The head of the mage’s guild reached out to me after word started going around, it seems the people you spoke to almost all had major breakthroughs in their spell development, with a couple even getting levels.”

“I can’t take credit for that second bit.”

“Why not? Knowledge of magic has a direct tie to use of magic. If you helped with a person’s understanding and it led them to doing more, why wouldn’t that qualify as you contributing?”

“…Okay, point taken. So that’s why so many showed up?”

“Largely I’m sure, although I wouldn’t underestimate the rumours going on about you. The way you read has drawn enough eyes and people talk, especially here. I’ve even heard a few say that seeing you is supposed to be good luck.”

“I’m sorry?”

Killi just laughed. “Superstition sprouts from everything. You’re here infrequently enough but make a big impact each time, some say that if they read when you’re around they’ll be more successful in their learning too.”

“Thats…”

Huh, that might actually be true, oops.

There were more than a few times when he’d read that he’d subtly thread his thoughts into anyone who was in his range to let them get the effects of his knowledge skill. Even if it had just been something to do for his own practice, it was always going to have a positive effect on those around him.

Of course, that was back when the skill was only mental symbiosis and now the library had all of his circlets too, but there was no denying he would have had a small impact on those around him from the small unauthorized use of his skills.

Not going to mention that though.

“Okay, well, they can believe what they want. In that case, sorry Killi but could I get your help dividing groups between the buildings? I should be able to go through them all.”

“What, you’re going to read the rest of the library today?”

“With this many people, yeah, looks like it,” He shrugged. “I didn’t go crazy yesterday but I can fit an absolute ton of people into my total range now and my mana’s nothing to scoff at either. It will still probably take all day but I should be able to get everything here read.”

Minus the basement. God, I want to access it so freaking bad, is that really so wrong?

<Yes.>

“Very well, I’ll spread the word,” Killi agreed before she stepped away to direct people, letting Ben choose the first group he’d take.

It was going to be an exercise of many of his skills but most importantly, for deep connection so he was going to do his best to get everything he could from it as the day went on.

Hmm, you know, I was expecting to get something out of this. Ben thought as the day ended, with the last building read through and the last group giving their thanks and running off to test some of the ideas he’d helped develop with them.

<What, was more magic knowledge than has ever existed in a single head not enough?>

I mean, that’s pretty good but to be honest I was kind of thinking I might get a title. Master of the library has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it? As the only guy who has to have read every book it holds, I thought I might get something like that. Plus, and I know this isn’t the goal but let’s be real here, I deserve it, I thought this might awaken my knowledge skill. If I wasn’t before, I’m officially one of the best-read people on the entire planet.

<Best read when it comes to magic, if you really want to awaken it then you can’t be so narrow. Consider reading up in a general library for a change.>

Mmh, maybe in the future. It’s not exactly a priority. If I awaken my other two skills I might attempt it for the extra attribute bonuses though.

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

<Exactly why you aren’t crossing that threshold despite all of the information you consume, although I’ll admit you’ve probably done an excellent job at chipping away at it. And as for titles, well, the system can be fickle. Maybe it would if you actually finished the library.>

Ugh, so get me basement access!

<You know I can’t and you don’t need any new titles anyway, you have way too many.>

But I could have even more.

<Why though?>

I don’t know, mostly the dopamine hit at this point.