Magic Books Are Way Too Fun, Aren't They!?
While Milfie was still deep asleep, too drowsy to move, Aqua and I headed out into the city to look for information about the ancient dungeon.
Most people, however, just said they didn’t know a thing. But that only made me think that even the tiniest clue might be legit.
I’ve got the Guide Map.
If I can just find the entrance, I’ll have first dibs on all the untouched dungeon treasure!
“Never heard of it.”
“Under Karina Square? Nope.”
“Haha, funny idea. How about some acqua pazza instead?”
Still, no luck.
The Guide Map’s great, but it doesn’t show reviews if no one’s been there before.
Worst case, we could go back and check the sea… maybe Aqua could use magic to breathe underwater?
“Aqua, what kinds of water magic can you use?”
I turned to ask, but Aqua was staring off at something.
This water city was a maze of streets, but this area was pretty open, bustling with tourists and locals alike.
Off in a corner, there was one particularly large building. I squinted and my Guide Lens auto-activated.
—
[Rivana Magic Library]
4.5★★★★★ (8,476 reviews)
Rivana Scribe
★★★★★
Covers the entire history of Rivana.
If you want to know Rivana’s past, this is the place.
Laid-back Rivana Local
★★★★★
Cool in summer, warm in winter.
The perfect temperature makes you sleepy.
Great spot for a nap.
Charming Veteran Guide
★★★★★
I used to come here every day when I was young to study navigation.
Brings back memories.
—
“Whoa, nice catch, Aqua!”
I couldn’t help but raise my voice. Why hadn’t I thought of this?
Of course we should hit up the library to research.
The Guide Map was too convenient, I’d overlooked the obvious.
But wait, how did Aqua notice it from so far away…?
No… she’s looking somewhere else?
Oh… I see.
“Aqua, you listening?”
“Eh? … Sorry, I was spacing out a bit.”
“I just found a library. Want to check it out?”
“… I didn’t even notice it. Sure.”
But I stopped in my tracks.
Right beside the library was a tiny, practically hidden bookstore.
“Aqua, let’s swing by here first.”
“But we’re supposed to be searching for the dungeon today…”
“Listen, Aqua.”
I looked her straight in the eyes.
She’d been thinking too much ever since she found me in the royal capital.
She was the only one with strong memories left and felt responsible for that.
She’s just too serious.
“What is it?”
“You still don’t get our travel motto, do you?”
I wagged my finger. Her eyes followed it, curious.
“Motto?”
“Think about it, Milfie stayed behind to sleep, right? That’s natural.”
She nodded.
“We’re a team, trusting each other with our lives. But on this journey, we also prioritize doing what we enjoy. Sure, there are things we have to do together, but overall, it’s about having fun. I like sightseeing, Milfie likes eating and sleeping—you get it?”
“… Yes.”
Even though she doesn’t remember much from before, she’s gotten to know us on this trip.
Especially Milfie, who napped through most of the boat ride.
Aqua’s not emotionless; she just carries too much responsibility.
She wouldn’t even sleep by herself around the campfire, always looking burdened.
That’s why—
“Think more about ‘yourself.’ That’ll actually help ‘everyone’ too.”
If anyone could understand that, it was Aqua.
She lowered her head for a moment, took her time, then looked up.
Her usual expressionless face had the faintest blush on her cheeks.
“… I want to go to the old magic bookstore.”
Outside the little shop, books were stacked in messy piles.
Aqua’s eyesight must be incredible—she’d noticed it, and curiosity won out.
But because I’d said we’d search for the dungeon, she kept it quiet.
Seriously… what a good girl.
“Exactly! And I wanna go too. Let’s do it!”
Aqua nodded firmly.
I haven’t traveled in big groups before, but one thing was clear:
It’s best when everyone enjoys themselves freely.
But the important moments—we share those.
Aqua smiled brightly—
“Huh? Where’d she go—man, she’s fast.”
She was already inside, stretching to grab a book from the top shelf.
I swear, every time, she hits all the right buttons…
Anyway.
“Aqua, I’ll get that for you!”
I rushed in.
At the back, an old man with a serious glare watched us like a hawk, definitely the “get off my lawn” type.
I wasn’t planning to steal anything, I promise!
“Thank you.”
I handed Aqua the book—on the cover, at least twenty eyes were staring back at me.
Uh… is this cursed or something?
“Oh, good eye you’ve got there.”
The old man walked over, surprisingly friendly.
Wait… he’s actually nice!?
Aqua was too engrossed in the book, so I had to handle the conversation.
“W-Well, I actually like books.”
“Hmm, then how about this one?”
He passed me another book—this one had even more eyes.
Umm… will this suck me into some other dimension?
“… Something wrong?”
“N-No. Oh yeah, this is… really nice.”
The eyes started rolling around.
Kinda scary, honestly.
But I couldn’t just ignore it—Aqua was muttering excitedly over her book.
Alright, here goes nothing!
“… Wait, what the heck!?”
“Awesome, right?”
Oh yeah… I forgot—my Guide Lens auto-translates stuff.
My hands trembled.
This book… in my original world, people would be losing their minds.
Even here, this was probably in high demand.
“This… this is amazing.”
“Fuhaha! The shop’s a dump, but my collection’s top-class.”
“It really is… ‘Magic to Easily Remove Fish Bones’—this is incredible!”
Inside, there were tons of diagrams showing fish bones neatly separated.
Once you “understood” it, you could actually cast it.
The final page was locked, but it’d unlock after purchasing.
“I need it. I need it badly.”
“Fuhaha, it’s pricey, you know?”
“Aqua, let’s buy it! Come on, Aqua!”
I turned to see Aqua’s book was titled “Magic to Remove Fish Scales All at Once.”
A-Amazing…!
In the end, we had way too much fun and stayed until nightfall.
—
Tabito
★★★★★
Magic books are too fun!
Man, I need this… but I don’t know if I can ‘understand’ it yet!
Aqua
★★★★★
… It’s okay to take my time reading magic books.
Actually, Tabito seems happy.
This journey… it’s so much fun.
Milfie
★★★★★
Mmm… meowa… so sleepy…
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