It seems that there are certain conditions to borrow specific books.

“What’s going on???”

When I heard the explanation from the librarian, I couldn’t help but tilt my head, but the books that can’t be borrowed unless certain conditions are met are as follows:

• Forbidden Spell Designated Books
• Ancient Magic Related Literature
• Grimoire of Magic

And then───

“Books or literature related to ...”

Basically, all the books arranged in the library are available for any person to browse. However, the aforementioned books are only made available to certain individuals.

Why is that?

The reason is simple, straightforward, and entirely justifiable. First of all, the books mentioned are rare and precious, and above all, each of these books contains highly classified information that could potentially lead to the world’s destruction if mishandled.

Forbidden spells, ancient magic, and the like are easy to understand categories, but is also included. In other words, these books are managed strictly to prevent any possibility of an incident. The right to access these books is granted only to select students who have proven themselves with a track record of achievements and trust.

The condition for this is: ‘Only students of the Academy's caste system, , can access other books related to .’

This is something new students, who have just entered the academy, may not be familiar with, but it is a system inseparable from Chronostaria Academy of Magic and Swords, and it symbolizes the very nature of the academy itself.

This academy, which advocates “survival of the fittest,” does not base its evaluations on birth or family background but instead on its own unique system. This is the , which is essentially proof of strength. The rank is determined by winning the regular battles held within the academy───.

The consists of a total of eleven levels. From the bottom, ten, nine, eight, and so on, with the highest being . Depending on the rank, students' future career paths, recommendations to the knights' orders, or assignments to special units within the knights' orders, such as the , are decided. Most students at this academy strive to earn these recommendations, which naturally leads to the goal of raising their rank.

───I never thought that I would need this rank just to borrow books.

Having lived a first life, I knew of this system, but I never thought it would apply here in the library. Well, it’s not surprising considering I didn’t use the library much back then... but still, the conditions are too strict.

“To become , at a minimum, you need to be one of the top five knights───...”

Participation in is generally voluntary. Still, nearly all students take part, but I, in my first life, never participated seriously. The reason, of course, was because it was too much trouble.

───I had no intention of participating this time either.

“I guess there’s no helping it...”

To obtain dragon-related information, I reluctantly had no choice but to participate in the to raise my rank. Aiming for would inevitably make me more well-known within the academy, but at this point, that’s irrelevant. Strange rumors about me have already spread, and whether they worsen or improve is the only difference.

“How did it come to this...”

Life truly never goes as planned. With my second life, I can say this with full sincerity, it’s not just a feeling.

───Life’s unfair.

Despite my frustration, I managed to lift my spirits.

“Well, at least there’s something I gained.”

I was able to clarify the conditions to borrow books, and there was at least one book I could borrow. For now, I’ll make do with just this one. It’s better than having nothing.

───Now, what kind of book is it…

I straightened my posture and looked at the cover of the book, which displayed colorful illustrations and a title.

“The Hero Who Hunts Dragons───The Great Adventure of Siegfried”

“...”

The book I was allowed to borrow was surprisingly thin, and I recognized it immediately. I knew this book for sure. One day, during a day off, Alice had begged me to “read this!”—It was a book I was quite familiar with.

“It’s a picture book!?”

Yes, it was a picture book. It was just a regular picture book, the kind that was also in Bradley's mansion. It seems that the only book related to I can access now is this one.

“That librarian… Was she subtly mocking me?”

It’s impossible not to think that way, given what that iron-faced librarian had pulled off. Seriously, what a joke.

As I stood up to complain, I realized that even if I voiced my complaints, there wouldn’t be any other books to borrow. So I swallowed my frustration, sat back down in my chair, and tried to calm myself.

“Hoo… Hoo… Hoo…”

“Uh… Excuse me...”

As I took a few deep breaths to calm my agitated mood, I was unexpectedly addressed by someone. I snapped back to reality.

“!!”

Right now, I was in the library, a place where I was supposed to quietly search for books or read. But there was so much to process that my emotions had gotten the better of me, and I ended up raising my voice. I must have disturbed the other students nearby. I quickly turned around to apologize to the girl who had spoken to me...

“Sorry, I was a bit loud—Huh?”

I froze.

Why?

Because the girl who had spoken to me was someone I couldn’t possibly forget.

───No way...

Suddenly, my mind went blank. I looked away, trying to convince myself it was some kind of mistake. I desperately denied it, urging myself that it couldn’t be true. My body screamed for me to run away.

That feeling was strangely familiar.

I could feel the blood draining from my face. Reflexively, the traumatic memories from my first life resurfaced clearly in my mind. I knew her name for sure.

“Levia...”

I unconsciously muttered her name.

She was my only friend in my first life at the academy. However, her true identity was that of a deceiver who used me, manipulated me, and had me assist in her malicious plans. She was the one who caused my first downfall.

“Huh? Did I introduce myself?”

This time, in my second life, I hadn’t met her yet. So when she heard me call her name, she looked confused, but I couldn’t focus on that. Why was she here? Why was the girl who I had been so careful to avoid now in front of me?

───Why on earth is this woman speaking to me?

The reason was obvious. It was my own fault, something I had invited upon myself. I wanted to punch the past version of myself who had acted impulsively and caused all this noise.

───I completely let my guard down!

“Well, whatever! I wanted to thank you!”

“Huh?”

As I was lost in regret, it seemed she had another reason for speaking to me. Her words caught me completely off guard. I couldn’t respond at all. Ignoring my confusion, she bowed her head eagerly in front of me.

“Thank you so much for helping me the other day!”

“...Huh???”

I was taken aback by her sudden gratitude. I had no idea what she was talking about. Even if I understood it, I wouldn’t be able to accept her thanks. The chill down my spine reminded me of the unpleasant memories of the past, and I just wanted her to disappear from my sight.

───What is happening?

My mind was full of questions. Yet, there was no one to explain this bizarre situation. Today, it seemed, was a day where my emotions would be toyed with, and it seemed like the world truly despised me.

“Seriously, what a joke...”

“Uh...???”

Seeing me lost in my own thoughts, the girl was confused. Normally, I would never act so rude, but in her case, that common sense didn’t apply. If she wasn’t going to leave, I was seriously considering running away.