Cinia Pacifica Posts

She's got this chilling feel even if it's completely ice-calm, which is badass, but maybe a little too OP sometimes.

Good evening, Data.

I don't know, maybe I could, but I was being really careful with raising my word count. It's the "hook" point all over again, and I do acknowledge this weakness. This is probably just desserts for me being trying to make this more subtle and mysterious in every way I could.



Good point. I'm just too careful about these little timings and things so I couldn't help but go the safe route and specify it since I am a newbie tier writer or something. I'll keep it in mind for the future, though.



I figured that it could be too wordy for some people. I myself like writing like this sometimes so I don't see it as a problem.

So yeah, screw you! Jk jk.



I wanted to make it seem like Hailey was really working hard to stay in the material world just to speak at least once with Lucy. A true display of sheer willpower to -appear- as though she was more or less alright while she converses normally with Lucy.

But yeah, I can totally see why it can appear forced and perhaps I should've done more foreshadowing about her health after all. Maybe it went more subtle than I imagined. That just means I have a long way to go, haha.

Thanks for re-reading it, and good luck with the contest.

I don't know about the guide. I mean, I can't see myself not doing my thing for one joke post.

Wasn't "the chase" about his petty revenge and the tracings of various religions towards the end? Or was that about the average dude he brings up?

I heard the songs themselves, not their titles. So obviously I don't really make a note to get them haha.

Well, I made it to a point to read something I start till the end.

Wow, for once they live. What the heck hit your head this past year, bruh?

How should I say it... I expected them, but didn't expected them to live through the ending.

That said, I was laughing pretty hard knowing most of these references, except maybe one story about the grave (guess I got spoiled), and damn you even used your own name. It's nice to see something that's genuinely sweet and softcore out of you where it's not tinted to the grim with something tragic--even if that's more of my thing.

It sucks that I was almost expecting them to say something about the actual entry and go like "what the hell?!" but I suppose that wasn't meant to be.

Needless to say, I don't agree with Peter; I think you take a while to respond to messages, especially when writing an essay. Hehe. But I guess if it's in your head then it travels fast, eh?

All of that aside, I feel like the comedic effect may get halved for other readers if they haven't read your previous entries. I think you went for it knowing that anyway.

Good job regardless, Xnine. You didn't seem confident but you did managed to make me laugh. I wish you luck for both this contest and the educational hurdles that we'll both be facing this year.

Cheers!

Unos was sorta gay anyway, and a bit of a faggot. So I can see why.

Aikatsu's MC.

They're pretty damn rich but has really nasty rumors around them. Like how they kill and take their business partner's properties and whatnot; or how they try to 'buy off' a woman their son likes, etc.

I did in the past. I don't really care anymore ever since a certain favorite character loved rice. Then I wanted to be her rice. SO YEAH, EAT ME ICHIGO-SAMA~

Lol, nice. We don't have big malls right across the streets but from our veranda there's a goddamn cricket field and a tennis court, some monuments and a big mansion. Gotta love rich folks who knows how to have a home.

o 3o

Don't fret. People do call me that now, apparently.

People here are poor in general and no good fireworks are ever on sale. Our neighbors happened to be buck rich so I got to witness some really flashy fireworks last night. Granted, I don't think they'll do it again. Was still cool, though. I even had a coffee chocolate cake while watching just for the heck of it.

Yes, I'm here to energize your souls. This is my job as a food.

What's up?

I used to be a downloader of h-mangos until I took an arrow to the knee. Good work, though.

I almost read blood beans and rice. Now that scared me.

Read and comment pl0x.

https://www.fakku.net/forums/writing-and-fanfiction/winter-contest-entry-2015-the-enigmatic-lady

I guess this is sort of a bump, but if you ever do come back, I'd love to see you review my latest work.

Tsuruko was in a hospital she had never been to before, or heard of, and neither had Natsu. The technology here was of a different level, and it seemed more like a research facility than a hospital, but the politician referred to it as a hospital regardless.

In such a shady establishment, there was a ward in the top floor where most people were not allowed into.

In the first place, it seemed like this so-called hospital was off-limits to the public. For this special ward one would imagine even people affiliated with the government or the Shrine would require some form of process to be allowed inside. There were full body checks done with lasers for the two guests that Takashiro brought with him before he led them to a particular operating theatre.

When Tsuruko and Natsu saw the large door, it felt rather overwhelming.

“Are you two ready?” Takashiro asked, seemingly nervous himself.

“I have to be.” Tsuruko gulped, unsure of what to expect.

“Y...Yes, I am.” Natsu gave a nod of determination, but with the pressure built up unexpectedly high, she was really nervous, and scared of the things she’d see inside the theatre room.

Takashiro, the politician, padded his sweat with a handkerchief before giving a gesture to command the guard who stood just beside the door.

The guard was notably armed and dressed like a soldier. He was a member of the Japanese military from what it seemed to Natsu.

At the same time, Tsuruko was reminded of the military men who carried out an attack against Alice and herself about three months ago, half a day prior to finding Natsu injured in a certain part of the city.

Regardless, the man clad in green pressed some buttons on a panel to unlock the door after a nod of acknowledgement.

The door opened momentarily. Cold air rushed out in the form of what seemed like white smoke immediately. The two girls then walked in after witnessing Alice laid over a solid-looking bed of steel. Her arms, legs, neck, head, even the flanks of her abdomen all bound with belts of steel. Just how strong was Alice perceived to be?

When the two turned to the surroundings, they found many different individuals lying across the floors and some leaning against the walls. None of them seemed to be conscious.

To this sight, Natsu gave away a gasp thoughtlessly. Those steel belts were likely renewed. How else would these men have failed? She was honestly wondering why they’d intentionally bring someone Alice knew to this operation initially, but didn’t question it. Now she was starting to understand; they wanted someone Alice knew to perhaps placate her rage and fears. The question was… was Alice really afraid of pain? Alice was especially stoic, indifferent, and a person who seemed to have a strong sense of justice. She’d otherwise display a pure and innocent nature in talks shows.

Tsuruko felt almost pained to see Alice barred down to the steel bed. It must have been so much for her to go through; however, she knew that it was better to help her now than to sort out the mistakes of the past. Alice, with her solid resolve, would of course offer some form of resistance to being operated on...

A pair of adult men walked inside the room from behind.

“We’re the last of the volunteers. Pleased to work with you,” one of them said. They wore black suits and seemed like professional… helpers? From looks, not much could be discerned aside from the fact that they were muscular men.

The door then closed behind them.

To the right was a window, and behind it were the operators. The doctors, basically. For some unknown reason they refused to use the mic to speak. Perhaps not to give Alice an idea to break the shield and then their very bones. Regardless, they communicated through hand signs. The two men seemed to understand the gestures and they guided the two young girls.

“Kazehaya-san will hold the shoulders, I will hold down her feet. Shinji, you hold the arms—wrists, specifically—and lastly, the miko; you’ll be holding onto her thighs.” He then handed to everyone some face masks doctors and nurses used. Of course, they were meant for concealing the mouth and nose.

The three other than the man who spoke nodded to him.

Natsu nervously held onto Alice’s shoulders as instructed after muttering, “”Excuse me.”

The man known as Shinji held the wrists. Unfortunately for him, holding wrists wasn’t as easy as it sounded when he was told to do it. Tsuruko held the thighs as told too. Lastly, the one who gave instructions held the feet of the top idol.

As the four people touched her, Alice came to realize their presence in the room. Indeed, any Descendant in their full health and potential would’ve sensed the presence of anyone from miles away because of how great their natural senses were. However, Alice right now seemed completely not herself.

In fact, it was hard for especially Tsuruko to believe—that Alice was completely acting like someone else.

“Ah… it’s you two. Please, don’t do this to me,” Alice pleaded like a young child contrary to her age. “I… I’m scared.”

“...I know you are, anyone would be,” Tsuruko tried to sympathize with Alice. “I think it’s best if you close your eyes for a moment, Alice-sama…”

“Alice-san…” Natsu could only utter her name in disbelief. The strong-willed Alice everyone knew wasn’t here. What was going on?

When the operation begun, devices were being lowered from the ceiling. They separated, revealed what seemed like small protrusions with round holes that immediately reminded everyone of guns! The girls especially cringed as lasers mercilessly dissected Alice. More specifically, they cut the idol’s skin open as she screamed in pain. Her voice strongly reverberated against the steel walls, the window, and the ears of the people inside the room.

She wailed, asking for this torture to be stopped repeatedly, yet no one could help her, believing it was for her own good.

Before too much blood leaked, certain meat and organs were detached from Alice, and they were replaced with machines.

In truth, from what could be seen, Alice was being literally turned into a marionette. Every human who volunteered to serve as marionettes in place of police forces—something other countries seemed to have—would have this very operation. However, medicines like anesthesia, and the likes would work for them. In Alice’s case, the reality was different. She had to bear with the pain.

The procedures continued, and soon machinations used for God knows what were implanted across her legs, arms, abdomen, a little across her chest, and to their surprise Alice seemed to resist well at some point. Except that the two men were flung away. The steel belts were shattered.

Tsuruko hardly regained her consciousness as she realized that she was leaning against the wall. When she awoke, she realized that she had been holding Alice’s thighs before the lasers focused on her legs. From tension and fear Alice shook her legs with such force that she was knocked away.

The miko looked up to find Natsu somehow holding down Alice all on her own with a tear-stained face. She muttered “sorry” repeatedly like a mantra.

A part of Tsuruko was amazed at how such a small girl could sustain herself from Alice’s duress, and the other part wished she wouldn’t have to. Hastily returning to Alice’s and Natsu’s side, she continued to attempt to hold her in place.

The devices shifted after coming down from the ceiling and soon revealed a pair of balls, with one silver gleaming spike on each, the ends facing straight down towards Alice.

The top idol was visibly convulsing from seeing these spikes coming right towards her eyes. Tears fell on both sides as she tried to face away.

Natsu noticed what they were for going for. She couldn’t find it in her to do this anymore…

Tsuruko didn’t know whether to observe in respect or to look away in shame, she wanted a chance to apologize wholeheartedly to Alice, but with such a turn of events, it felt that she would never get the chance to. If only I could go through ten times of what she’s going through… she thought.

In the presence of the spikes near Tsuruko, she had no other choice but to position herself and hold Alice’s very head in place, staring into eyes that seemed to claw at her very soul. It was almost as if she had sinned in front of the Cross.

“...Mathilde, save me—”

The spikes drilled straight into Alice’s eyeballs. Everyone except the doctors seemed to look away from the sight as Alice screamed. When Tsuruko looked back after a moment, however, she realized that Alice still had her eyes. What was strange was that her pupils were glowing blue. Her expression and complexion improved.

Her indifferent self was returning.

“System,” she uttered. “Missing data confirmed. Restoring data of memories from the Genesis Server. Project Geneva of Japan—is now restored,” she spoke mechanically, like usual. None of the human-like behavior she showed earlier was present. She was replaced with the usual Alice that Natsu and Tsuruko knew. “...What are you two doing here in the operation theatre? Never mind, newly downloaded data indicates that you two were called to help.”

“I wanted to see you after so long,” Tsuruko said, unsure if Alice had changed into a new person or returned to her old self. “Never did I expect to see you go through such a horrible experience.”

“Horrible experience?” Alice inquired. “I do not know what you are speaking of.”


“...Are you really Alice-san?” Natsu asked, wiping her tears. While she was relieved to know that Alice was fine, it was very strange how Alice was acting moments ago, and how she was back to her usual emotionlessness. Truly, she was an enigma.

“Yes, my name is Alice. I believe we have met several times; especially when I had to retrieve you from the battlefield,” Alice promptly answered.

“I...I see.” Natsu could only utter so much in response. She is definitely back to her old self, but what was that just now then? Mathilde… I feel like I’ve heard this name before.

Tsuruko started forming certain theories in her mind but could only keep them in her head. She sighed, “...At least I got to see you again. I thought I lost my chance to say sorry.”

“Say sorry, what for?” Alice questioned.

“Many things, but most of all: not performing up to standard.”

“I see.” Alice picked herself up and stood up straight but almost fell over. Natsu and Tsuruko barely managed to help her balance herself. “Then all you have to do is try harder.”

Natsu chuckled. “Spoken like a true top idol” was what she wanted to say, but she didn’t wish to interrupt.

“That is exactly what I’m going to do.” Tsuruko smiled. “I have not failed my duty yet.”

“You seem to have gotten stronger while I was away,” Alice noted.

The door opened and the doctors entered. With them, a person familiar to Tsuruko entered, her father. The politician was also there. They all inspected Alice carefully and spoke to her. Needless to say, Natsu and Tsuruko had to step back and leave Alice to the adults.

After some moments, Tsuruko’s father joined her and Natsu.

“I didn’t think you’d volunteer of all people,” he told Tsuruko. There was something about Tsuruko wearing a doctor’s face mask that her father found strangely unique. Indeed, a miko in her fine white garb and red hakama wearing such a thing was a novelty! “Just how did Takashiro-san find you people, I wonder.”

“He and Kazehaya-san visited the Meiji Shrine. I heard what happened from them, as well as the opportunity to see Alice once more. Of course I would be here.”

“Such a wild string of events, no wonder. I’d have preferred you’d not had seen what Alice-sama went through today.” Her father sighed.

“...Not sure if I would agree on that, Father. I’m quite used to surprises, now.”

“So this is Fuyuo-san’s father?” Natsu asked, seemingly exhausted, but she tried to act energetic as usual.

“That’s right,” Tsuruko’s father claimed, placing a hand on the miko’s head. “I know who you are, though. We’ll speak at a later date.”

“Ah, I see…” Natsu could only nod before even introducing herself properly.

“You two need to rest or something—after what you’ve both been through—and I need to deal with all those adults.” He sighed and moved to Alice.

“I guess your father is one of the top brass around here,” Natsu said. It seemed like he was a good person so far, so she felt rather relaxed. Somehow his presence was more lively.

“He doesn’t tell me anything, so I wouldn’t know.” Tsuruko seemed to sort of roll her eyes. “But I guess.”

With their business being concluded, they soon exited the operation room. Waiting several minutes, Takashiro came out and he led them out of the hospital. The politician later revealed that he’d need to be going elsewhere due to the earlier event that took place. Hence, he prepared a car for both of them to be escorted back to the Academy.

5/10

Wait what? You thought I could not do this? How could you, Xnine?! I thought you believed in me!



I honestly thought providing setting details would add nothing particularly important when the entire event took place inside one room. So yeah, it was counter-productive in this case; helping me to preserve words against the given limit.



I was referencing a very archaic philosophical analogy there. If you have not heard of the Analogy of the Sun and the Cave, I would definitely recommend you to check them out.

Very interesting analogies, really. I would have added the Cave one too but I couldn't find the space to fit it in. Hailey was made to be really open-minded and she would take on any kind of philosophy, or rather, any type of interesting piece of knowledge.



I am full glad that you managed to pick out the significance of this line here. Especially because I thought very hard about how I wanted to word it. It's kind of my personal philosophy too, and I guess I really like to make characters that sort of conveys these messages which I think are really important but often not realized by people.

There are many of us out here who get so caught-on by our role-models that we forget our own path after being so heavily influenced, and think that we have to change ourselves to be more like them in order to be successful. In the end, there are thousands of ways to do something and be successful. It's a matter of what works out for you, and Hailey wanted Lucy to understand that.



Yes, Hailey is very greedy and almost never wastes time. I can see why she wanted to be more than that. Chances are, she really did, and we knew that, but she is also really cunning indeed. Good catch. She lead through the conversation after all.



Yep. She got everything, but her poor daughter would have wanted more of her. Too bad, fate is not always nice, but that is why time is so precious. I wanted people to understand with this piece how important such little things can be. Incidentally, Lucy also misses a lot of small details about her mother.

Thanks for reading, Xnine, really. I am glad you took the time to read it. Your feedback was everything I was hoping for from a reader. I was waiting for someone who would catch onto these little details I wrote out. While you may not have inquisitively pondered about the hints I poured across the entry, I am glad that you chose to provide such an in-depth analysis of it. I am grateful, and I will try to respond similarly to your piece as well.

Today Tsuruko was praying at the shrine of Meiji. There was no better place for this. Considering Susanoo had her meet him here, she could only think to come here.

She clapped and faced the statue within the shrine and prayed… while she heard Susanoo speak.

“Ahh, Orihime-san, your eyes and hair are as sparkly as the stars, like always…”

“O-Oh… Susanoo-sama, you praise overmuch.”

Perhaps it was because she was closely linked with Susanoo more than ever, but now she could hear the voices of the deities that Susanoo would speak with, including his voice, of course.

Tsuruko was trying to concentrate on her prayers like Susanoo asked her to, but the strange banter between him and the female deity seemed to almost interfere. But she wasn’t one to comment about the storm deity’s actions. She was thankful for his power. It was also a strange and relevating experience to hear other deities speak, too.

“Oh, hello.” Tsuruko turned to find Ame, who she met the day before yesterday in the Academy. “Apologies if I disturbed you,” she said, joining her hands for a prayer beside her. “I see you are devoted, coming here on your only free day.”

Tsuruko closed back her eyes and faced straight again. “Yes. It is a need for me to pray every day, to seek solace and tranquility.”

“While listening to a perverted old man who claims to be a deity?”

“You can hear him too?”

“I was born with it. The ability known as †˜Exceptional Hearing’.”

“I see. Then, what can you tell me about him?”

“What do you want me to say about him?”

“Is everything asking for too much?”

“Of course. There is some information Hime Mikos are not allowed to divulge.”

“Hmm. What is the basis then…?” Tsuruko wondered why the control of information was so important to the Shine.

“Basis? Of what, exactly?”

“I recalled that you said he was an old man claiming to be a deity?” Tsuruko tilted her head slightly. “I’m not surprised if that is the case.”

“I’m surprised you’re asking even though you’d not be surprised. The answer is simple: there is no deity, to the eyes of the Hime Miko anyway. The entities are simply spirits of the dead beings from foreign Realms. Basis would be our ability to see through these things, I suppose.”

“Hmm… ” Tsuruko opened her eyes slightly and faced Ame. “So you can hear and see things that cannot be normally be heard or seen?”

“My sister can see things many can’t, and I can hear things many can’t.”

“That seems like an exceptional ability to have. Can you control it?”

“Of course I can. Why would I not be able to?”

“Oh, I was just wondering if there are things that you don’t want to hear.”

“There are. A lot, at that. This ability is so potent that it is impossible to lower it to the level of ordinary people. What about you? What kind of an exceptional ability do you have?”

“Nothing much. Just sometimes the airflow around me seems to change itself every now and then.”

“Oh. That isn’t an effect of your sword there?”

“Yes. That is why I said it isn’t anything much.”

Doesn’t even seem to answer the question… what is with this strange girl? Ame thought. Before she was about to speak, however, she was interrupted.

“Ah, Ame!” Natsu called out.

“Natsu? What are you doing here?”

“I’m being toured across places considered †˜magical’ across Tokyo… or something like that, by Takashiro-san,” Natsu explained.

“Takashiro...san? Oh, that Takashiro-san,” Ame said, reminding herself of the politician who stood some distance away before the entrance to the temple.

“Ame! Come and help me out hereeee,” an unfamiliar voice called out.

“Uh, I apologize, but I have to go now. Have fun with the tour, Natsu, and it was nice speaking with you, Tsuruko-san,” Ame said, giving terse bows to the two before taking leave.

“Um, hello,” Natsu greeted. “Are you a friend of Ame?” she asked Tsuruko, facing the Buddha idol.

“An acquaintance,” Tsuruko remarked. “My name is Tsuruko of the Fuyuo family.” She bowed towards Natsu.

Natsu gave a bow in return followed by a natural smile. “My name is Kazehaya Natsu, it is a pleasure to meet you, Fuyuo-san!”

Tsuruko was taken aback by the cheerfulness of Natsu. She somehow vaguely remembered that she saw her figure somewhere, but she couldn’t remember. “Same here.” She broke a smile at Natsu.

“Are you also one of those who studies at the Academy?” Natsu asked. “If you know Ame, you must be one of the Hime Mikos?”

“I am not one of them, for I’m not as well off as them. I’m what you call an Exception, I guess.”

“Ahh, an Exception. Ame was explaining to me about them… my brother is also one I hear.”

“He is cursed as well? Well, I say cursed, but it’s more like …haunted?”

“H-Haunted?!” Natsu almost exclaimed. Her brother—who seemed tired, or rather, lazy—who was always relaxing in the house was actually haunted? She could somehow make sense of it, but it sounded rather farfetched in his case. Then again, according to the Headmistress he had been going to the Academy to train and learn much like her… speaking of which, she had yet to meet him, even now. Was he on leave? “H...How are Exceptions haunted, exactly?”

“I’m not too sure myself,” Tsuruko said, “Having never met any other Exceptions… but I think, the basis is, at some point of our lives, something bad happened to us, and it will affect us our whole lifetime in one way or another. At least that’s how I think it is…”

“I… I see,” Natsu said, a little taken aback. This made her think what may have happened to her brother, if any. The possibilities weren’t so far off now that she knew that he was a studying scholar who was born with an ability that could be taken as Exceptional. Moreover, the fact that her life turned out to be the way it was, she could somehow believe the chances of most of her family members facing tragedy, and having scars to bare. She could still remember the moment her arm was cut off by the blonde woman that day when she was attacked, and it wasn’t a pleasant memory.

“Anyway, I hope you have a good time while you’re here.” Tsuruko smiled towards Natsu. “If the purpose of your visit is a tour, then it’s best if you experience things yourself.”

Takashiro walked into the temple and approached the two before the idol of the deity. His face was solemn, but mixed with some hints of fear, and Tsuruko was familiar with such expressions.

“We’re… always short on people who know Alice-san. I know I promised a proper tour, but I need some help to restrain Alice-san for… an operation.”

“A...An operation?” Natsu gasped.

“Indeed. It’s for the injuries she incurred recently,” the politician explained. “I hear Kazehaya-san is strong and knew her for some time. I do not know anyone else who knows Alice-san, so…”

“...Alice?” Tsuruko asked as if she could have heard that wrongly. Her ears almost seemed to twitch upon those words.

“Ah, you don’t know? She is currently the top idol. I didn’t know she was injured, though… is it because of the assassination mission she had? ...So she didn’t make it back alright after all,” Natsu said. She was told by Takashiro that she announced to her fans a temporary leave from work. This was true. She later looked up the information and found a video on it on the internet. She also knew that Alice left for a dangerous mission in reality. However, she was also a fellow Time Warrior like her. How could such a strong person incur injuries that would require an operation? Weren’t beings like her immortal?

“Ah, no…” Tsuruko gave a look of intent. “I believe it’s partly because of me.”

“Because of you?” Natsu questioned, confused.

“Ahh… did you also happen to go to England for some reason?” Takashiro inquired. He wasn’t particularly aware of the entire group aside from the two Time Warriors that went with the dangerous mission.

“Yes. I was to accompany her for her mission… but I guess I failed to protect her… and it ended up being like that.” Tsuruko looked down, trying not to recall the experience.

“Anyway, it’s an emergency, Kazehaya-san. We must make sure the operation goes off without an issue for the sake of the future of this country,” Takashiro urged.

“What kind of operation is it?”

“It’s complicated, but basically, it’s for restoring her to the state of Genesis.”

“Genesis?” Tsuruko had heard this word before, but it wasn’t often used around her.

“Unfortunately, I am not authorized to answer.”

Tsuruko gave a dejected face. “... I’ve been hearing that way too much recently.” She felt that she’d been left out in a lot of things even before the trip. “Is she going to be okay…?”

Natsu could sympathize with Tsuruko’s plight. Not able to learn classified information despite their involvement would leave one very curious.

Takashiro shook his head. “Depends. If Kazehaya-san can’t hold her still properly and she moves… I don’t even know what kind of accident would take place.”

“I… I will try my best,” Natsu said, attempting to pump herself up.

Tsuruko gasped. “She will still be conscious when the operation is in effect..?”

“Yes, no medicines used to intentionally take away the consciousness of a person seem to work on Alice-san for some reason…”

“Ouch…” Tsuruko felt bad for Alice who had to undergo an operation… while conscious. More so, the guilt was coming back to her. If she didn’t make it up to Alice one way or another, she wouldn’t know what to do. “...I understand. If Kazehaya-san can’t hold her well enough… then I will be glad to assist…”

“Since you went with her to her mission… I suppose it’ll be fine. Let us be on our way immediately. I prepared a car,” Takashiro said, leading the two out of the temple.

“What… is this place, Takashiro-san?”

“Welcome to the Library of Geneva, Kazehaya-san.”

“It’s… huge! I didn’t know there was such an awesome library like this in Japan.”

Natsu was on a tour across places related to magic in Japan. Since it was Takashiro the politician’s idea—and it was Sunday—this was completely acceptable for the Academy to allow. Since Takashiro was there, they agreed to not send staff members to protect her.

“Well, let us enter, shall we?” Takashiro gestured, ushering Natsu to go through the entrance of the seventy-floor building. According to him, all the floors except the first were parts of the library—full with books and shelves.

Natsu walked past a second entrance which scanned her very being, and then she faced a receptionist. It seemed like there were rooms so people could simply live in this massive library.

“Ah, she’s just here for a tour,” Takashiro explained to the woman who asked if Natsu wanted a room booked for her.

He then lead her to an elevator and they took off straight to the fiftieth floor.

Natsu saw a few men across the floor here. The shelves were twice the length of any ordinary ones, and apparently people could freely get any books because every floor had a device that would let one pick a book out regardless of the height. Because these book-fetching robots could fly.

“So… there are all kinds of books here, but are these special books here, or something?” Natsu curiously asked. Who’d think such a place existed in Japan? Why hide its existence and not let the mundanes know? She could think that there were many books about magic here, but even then, if what Takashiro said was true, there were many mage families in Japan… yet it seemed so vacant.

“Yes, there are many different kinds of books here, and we even have books that no one understands,” Takashiro explained, offering a chair to Natsu after they walked for some moments.

“Books that no one understands? Like… different languages?”

“Yes, as you may have figured now that you know the state of the world; our country only follows few languages, and there are many languages beyond our country that are never used here. However, the government scavenged tomes and old books from all over the world in pursuit of knowledge so that our mages could become stronger… unfortunately, deciphering wasn’t as easy a process as we thought it’d be.”

“I… see, so most of the books here are…”

“Not here. The books from floor sixty and beyond are all untranslated. Alice-san has been the only one able to decipher ancient tomes so far, and the last ten years, she translated from floor fifty-seven to fifty-nine. Due to missions, career, and whatnot, however, this process is extremely slow. Not that the government really minds.”

“But still, this place really is just amazing, even if some books are inaccessible. It’s also amazing to consider that Alice-san could translate!”

“Indeed, but that is not the real purpose of this Library.”

“It isn’t?”

“You may have realized that there aren’t as many people as you’d think there are. This is because only members of the Library may access the contents here.”

“And how does one become a member?”

“Well, most of the process is usually very complicated, and is connected to the government and Alice-san herself, but basically, the Library of Geneva is an Organization before a Library. This building is its base, so to speak. Our job here is to protect Japan from all kinds of †˜magical’ calamities that may come to the country. However, we don’t necessarily deal with the Europeans, we’re there more for the other kinds of troubles that may come to pass. Of course, our priorities are somewhat different from the Shrine Organization, and we deal with different kinds of issues too… like people abusing magic in the society, or the likes.”

“Ahh, I see. That sounds important indeed.”

Takashiro then checked his wristwatch.

“Alright, let’s move to the next spot for the tour.”