After finishing breakfast quickly, Kurose Akira returned to his apartment. It was now 7:30 in the morning. Just as he was about to log into the game, his phone suddenly vibrated.
"Hm?"
Akira picked it up and saw a message from Liu Xue.
Kanai's Bunny:"Akira, do you know much about the elf race?"
…?
"Not really. The elves in this game seem kind of special."
Kanai's Bunny:"Okay, then I'll ask around some more."
"Did something happen?" Akira asked.
Kanai's Bunny:"Lately my female elf, Vinnie, has seemed really distracted. It looks like something happened within the elf race that split them into two opposing camps. If I understood elves better, I might be able to help her. Also… Vinnie's character quest is related to this matter."
Akira fell silent for a moment, thinking it over.
"If you want to learn about elf history, you can go to the library. I was planning to go there anyway."
Kanai's Bunny:"The library? That sounds like a good idea. I'll log in right now!"
"Mm."
Akira set his phone down and smoothly put on his VR headset.
This time, instead of entering his guild as usual, he directly chose the library region.
The library was located in a special domain open only to players. No combat of any kind was permitted there, ensuring absolute safety and tranquility.
The moment Akira stepped inside, he was struck by the sight of towering bookshelves that seemed to stretch endlessly upward, disappearing into the sky. Countless books filled the shelves, packed tightly together. Between them were numerous comfortable reading areas where players could sit and study.
He soon noticed that beside every reading table was a blue holographic screen. Players simply needed to input the title or subject they wanted, and the system would immediately retrieve the relevant books for consultation.
"Akira!"
Hearing Liu Xue's voice, Akira turned toward the sound.
He saw her seated in a spacious, cozy reading area, holding a thick volume in her hands. He walked over and sat across from her, catching sight of the book's title at a glance.
Collected History of the Elf Race.
"What exactly caused the division within the elves?" Akira asked.
Liu Xue shook her head lightly.
"It's not really a full split—more like two opposing viewpoints. They're putting an elf mother on trial, and it's caused a huge controversy within the elf race. Apparently, they've been arguing over it for sixteen years now… and it still hasn't ended."
Akira frowned slightly.
"What did that elf mother do to deserve a trial?"
"I don't know yet," Liu Xue replied softly. "That's why I'm trying to find out."
She lowered her head again, carefully searching through the text.
Akira activated the holographic screen in front of him and began retrieving books of his own.
"Historical records of the Starfall Kingdom…"
He soon found a volume detailing the Starfall Kingdom's history. Compared to the elves, the kingdom's recorded past was relatively short.
After all, the Elf Kingdom had a history spanning ten thousand years, and throughout all that time, its ruler—the Elf Queen—had never changed.
She was one of the strongest NPCs in the entire magical world.
Her beauty, combat power, and age were all at the absolute pinnacle. She was even praised as the most perfect woman in existence, the embodiment of holiness itself—a title that spoke volumes about her unparalleled status among NPCs.
Unfortunately, ordinary people would never have the chance to witness the Elf Queen in person.
Beautiful and mysterious, she was like the moon in the night sky—forever out of reach, inspiring nothing but reverence and longing.
Before long, Akira found what he was looking for.
In the Starfall Kingdom, there existed seven Valkyries who protected the nation. Aside from the well-known White Rose, there were also Black Rose, Blue Lily, Blood Jasmine, Violet, Silver Anemone, and Golden Peony.
The seven cities guarded by these Valkyries formed the foundation of the Starfall Kingdom and were its greatest source of strength.
"So Golden Peony represents the royal family… and among the seven Valkyries, she's the strongest."
Akira murmured to himself as he continued reading.
Most of the historical information wasn't particularly useful—after all, the library only contained publicly purchasable records. Truly secret events would never be written down.
Just as he was deeply engrossed, one entry caught his eye.
"Ten years ago, the Starfall Kingdom executed a witch?"
Akira's eyes narrowed.
He immediately searched for information related to witches.
"Witches draw their power from a mad pursuit of truth. Their actions follow rules they themselves establish…"
"They usually house their magic within a specific organ—such as the eyes, heart, or fingers—known as a Witch's Legacy. However, only the magic itself is passed down; it does not directly affect the inheritor's body or mind."
"Though a second-generation witch's understanding of truth may change, the source of magic always remains the same…"
Gradually, Akira began to understand the witch system.
Take the Witch of Night as an example—her magic source was the pitch-black night sky. Her interpretation of the truth of night was endless betrayal, and because of that, her magical power grew to a maddening degree.
If that power were inherited by a second-generation witch, the understanding of night might change—but the source would remain identical.
In other words, the second witch's interpretation might no longer be betrayal at all, but something entirely new.
"This was a pretty good haul."
Akira nodded in satisfaction. Some of the questions that had been troubling him were finally answered—at least in part.
He looked up at Liu Xue across from him.
"Did you find what you were looking for?"
Liu Xue frowned slightly, hesitation flickering in her expression.
"I'm not sure if this is the answer I need… but I did gain something from it. Hopefully it'll help with the upcoming quest."
...
After saying goodbye to Liu Xue, Akira left the library and returned to the guild.
The moment he arrived, Ivsha and Alice greeted him warmly, like a gentle spring breeze, their faces lit up with bright smiles.
"Mr. Akira (Master)~ Welcome back~"
Akira froze for a split second. Before he could react, the two women had already closed in on him, one on each side, clinging tightly to his arms.
He could clearly feel two very different sizes of softness pressing against him.
"This is…?"
Before he could finish the question, they guided him over and sat him down on a wooden chair. Only then did he notice the table in front of him, covered with tempting desserts and steaming cups of black tea.
"Master, please have some tea~"
Alice lifted a teacup and gently brought it to his lips, her voice soft and obedient.
Akira sipped it hesitantly.
A rich, fragrant tea aroma instantly filled his mouth.
…Wait?
Was this cup of tea filled with Alice's intense love?
"That's not quite right~ Alice~"
Ivsha suddenly interjected. Smiling, she took the teacup from Alice's hands and gazed at Akira with affectionate eyes.
"Mr. Akira actually prefers imported black tea. Did you forget that?" Her voice carried a hint of flirtatious charm.
As she spoke, Ivsha took a small sip of the tea herself—then suddenly leaned forward and pressed her lips firmly against Akira's.
Warm black tea flooded into his mouth.
At the same time, he heard Ivsha whisper softly to Alice by his ear, her voice low and instructive.
"Alice~ ahh~ you have to do it like this~ mwah~"