Ch.106 Deepeing Knowledge and Reaching a Conclusion

Standing before a bookshelf crammed with magic-related books, I searched left, right, up, and down, moving my eyes and body as I looked.

"...Summon...Summon...There it is."

Currently, at the National Library in Canadil, I am trying to gain knowledge from the collection of information—that is, books—that is, in order to understand what summoning magic or summoning sorcery is.

While browsing shops looking for souvenirs, I stumbled upon a library and decided to go inside.

I thought this was a good opportunity because the explanation that Nabla-kun's luminescence was due to summoning hadn't gone beyond that.

I didn't do much magic or sorcery in my previous life, only watched a bit of the gameplay. That's why I'm doing this research.

"It's so heavyyy... Hey, don't just stare, hold the wheel too!"

"Oh, yeah... sorry. But do you really need all of this...? If it's that assignment, I can teach you..."

"I don't like taking the easy way out before even trying... But, thanks. I'll try it myself first, and if there's anything I don't understand, I'll let you know."

"Y-yes"

Using telekinesis, I take a book that looks relevant from the shelf, levitate it in mid-air, flip through the pages, check the table of contents, and quickly turn the pages until I reach the section I want to read.

"I mean, couldn't you have just carried it before I even asked? What kind of guy leaves a girl to carry heavy things like that?"

"A girl...? No, more importantly, I don't think it's good to talk about men or women like that, you know...?"

Hmm, there's no mention of emitting light during the summoning.

He was glowing when the summoner in that random party activated it, so I'm sure it's correct...

Well, since I found out that the information I knew was correct, I was able to change from speculation to conjecture, and I also gained new information, so it was a very fruitful experience and I'm feeling great.

"Huh? Did you say something? I couldn't hear you because I was looking for a book. Say it again."

"N-no, it's nothing."

It seems that you can only summon wild monsters or partner monsters with whom you've already formed a contract and have a strong bond; you cannot summon humans or other monsters.

When summoned, if it's a wild monster, one monster will be selected from among the various monsters found in forests, cave, and other locations and summoned. Similarly, if it's a partner monster, it will be summoned from the location where it was when summoned.

...And, it says that if the partner monster you sent back to its original location is killed, the contract will be terminated. It seems like you get a contract once you make one, but...if it's in a forest or something, you can't tell if it's wild or not.

It's probably safer to just keep it with you permanently once you've made the contract. It only consumes MP when you summon it, and doesn't seem to consume more while it's summoned.

Risk is inherent in everything, but the risk of sending them back is far too great. That said, it's not easy ti say that they shouldn't send them back.

If you make a contract with a large monster, your options for accommodation will be limited, and finding a place to stay will be difficult. If you bring it along inside your home, it will take up too much space, and other resident will likely complain. This wouldn't be the case if you made a contract with a small monster or if you have a sufficiently large home.

In other words, if you want your partner monster to live safely without being exposed to danger, to live a long life, and to spend as much time with you as possible, it's best to have a large house or a spacious yard.

Family, partner, convenient attacker, decoy. How you build and interact with your summoner is entirely up to the player. While I don't usually comment on how others treat them, I think it's best for both parties if you carefully consider these factors before becoming a summoner.

"Not exactly required, but... You shouldn't do anything that you might regret... What am I even saying to myself?"

I closed the book while murmuring ti myself and put it back on the shelf.

"Be clear and direct on what you want to say."

"...Sorry."

"That's why I always say it, right? It's not good to say sorry right away."

While talking isn't prohibited here, it's definitely distracting when people keep chatting while I'm doing research.

From the other side of the bookshelf in front of me, I could hear what sounded like a conversation. My curiosity got the better of me, and I took a peek.

What I see there are two people: one girl player with her pink (rose gold) hair curled and tied in twintail, holding a stack of about five books in front of her chest, and a boy NPC who looks timid, wearing black Wellington glasses.

They are both wearing uniforms. I wonder if they are school uniforms.

"Oh, yeah, sorry... ah... I'll hold the book a little longer."

"Well, you've already got three copies. That's more than enough."

"Yes..."

"If you fall in love with someone, you should hold all of their things, okay? It's definitely cooler that way. So what was it? You had something you wanted to say, right? What was it?"

"N-no, it's fine."

"Why would you back down there? Don't you understand that it leaves me feeling uneasy if you don't tell me?"

"Oh, I'm, sorry... No, that's not it."

"What are you apologizing for? Just tell me."

"...Yeah. Um... ruana-chan said you were a girl earlier, but I think that's a term for girls up to a certain age...So, ruana-chan isn't a girl, so maybe you should be called something else...?"

"...Huh?"

"Ah... it's just that I think so... it's nothing. Don't worry about it."

Young man, you're amazing, being so direct.

But, isn't that up to the individual? Do the ways you address someone change as you get older?

I've certainly never heard a man refer to himself as a boy. Conversely, I've heard women refer to themselves as girls several times. It's strange how you only realize it when someone points it out.

"Hmph, you don't understand anything about girls. Listen, the reason I refer to myself as a girl is to boost my self-esteem."

“Self-esteem…?”

"It's cuter to say 'I'm a girl' than 'I'm a young woman' or 'I'm a woman'."

"Is that how it is...?"

"That's how it is. Just like Rath said, when people hear 'girl,' they often picture a young child. You know, young children are cute, right? I'm not trying to emulate that or anything, but if you keep calling yourself a girl, you start to think you're cute, and if you think that way, your self-esteem goes up. That's why I call myself a girl. Got it?"

"Uh, yeah. I understand."

"Well, that's just what I think, so I don't know if other girls feel the same way. I'm not representing all girls or anything like that."

I nod in understanding before going back to my research.

Self-esteem, huh? I'm a woman now. Should I start saying things like, "I'm a girl, so..."?... No, the thought of myself doing that gives me a strange feeling. I'll stop.

After spending about two hours examining the books, I closed it with a snap, put it back on the shelf, and flap my wings towards the exit.

I read a wide range of books, from children's to adult-oriented, but I didn't find any new information. However, the information I did gather led me to make inferences, and I became convinced that the glow was caused by summoning, so I can end it on a positive note.

Even the latter half of the session, during which I didn't gain any new information, wasn't wasted. It taught me that there's nothing more I can learn here.

"The entrance fee is 100 Monies per person. There is an additional charge for copying the contents of the books onto paper or taking pictures with a camera, so please speak to a staff member. It is 50 Monies per book."

"Hmm. Then I'll do 200 Monies."

"...That's right. As stated here, taking books out is prohibited. We have set up a camera for your reference. Please keep that in mind."

"Yes." "Y-yes."

"Private conversation is fine, but please refrain from making a loud noise so that you won't disturb other people. That's all for now. Please come inside. I hope you find a wonderful book."

"Yes, Thank you." "Thank you very much"

As I approached the reception area, I passed a pair consisting of a beastwoman and a human NPC

A fox beastwoman, huh? Those folded ears are unusual. They look like the rabbit ears you see in fiction.

I mean, isn't the guy next to her just too handsome? With his silky blonde hair and model-like looks , he's just as good-looking as the other players. He looks like a prince straight out of a picture book.

I thought to myself as I looked away.

"I'm really curious what Samyu-san is investigating here... but I won't. I'm an adult now."

"Haha, I see. I don't mind at all if you ask me questions. Growth is something to be happy about, but it's a little lonely when you suddenly stop asking questions after always asking them."

"Oh... I-I see... Well, then, may I ask...?"

"Hehe, of course. I'm going to investigate beastmen. The book about it might not exist in the castle of our country, but they might in other countries."

"Castle?"

"Oh, no, no. I'm talking about the bookshelf at my parents' house. You know how they call it a castle of books?"

"Oh, really? I've never heard that before, so I don't know."

"I see. Is it just my house that's experiencing this...?"

The two of them spoke in completely different ways, and an animated image of royalty and a commoner facing each other and chatting came to mind. I turned around and watched their retreating figures.

In most games' stories, royalty, such as kings and princesses, are important characters who appear at least once.

I don't know if this game is like that, but...

"...No way."

There's no way royalty would come to a place like this without any guards.

I shook my head, erasing the image of royalty and commoners chatting, and left the library.

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〘Falulu's Journey and Current Situation〙

4 years have passed since she was trained as a vixen. 3 years have passed since she was rescued from that horrible environment by a blond young man named Samuel.

7 years have passed since she was reincarnated into the game world, and she is currently 15 years old.

As a result of being trained for a long time as Falulu, a fox beastkin girl, her memories and perceptions have been distorted and altered, and she now believes that she is Falulu, a fox beastkin who was born into this world and suffered misfortune. Her memories and recollections of her past live as a boy named Niiya Shouta have been stored deep within her hearts and can no longer be recalled, or have even vanished.

She believes she is Falulu, she believes she is a fox beastkin, and she believes she has been a woman since birth.

Whenever she sees or hear any of the letters or words from her original name, she feels a sense of nostalgia for some reason. It's the same with similar words or letters.

Even if she were to regain her memories, she wouldn't be able to return to her original body, so she would have no choice but to live as Falulu until she dies.

In addition to amnesia, the right ear, which had been flooping forward from the middle during her discipline, was left untreated and has since healed in that flopped position (fixed floppy ear).

She was subjected to several forced acts under orders she couldn't refuse, but fortunately, she never became pregnant. However, her partner at that time, an elf boy, died after a mental breakdown, unable to withstand the discipline.

After being rescued by Samuel, she received treatment, but it seems that only her right ear was deemed completely healed and could not be cured.

Everything else has healed completely. The claws have been beautifully repaired, and the whip marks have disappeared. All the wounds on her body have disappeared (thanks to Samuel's efforts).

Her mental state was poor, and she would tremble just at the sight of someone approaching her. However, through dedicated care and attentive treatment, she gradually became able to speak again, and after about 2 years, she was almost completely recovered. Currently, she has recovered to the point where she can converse normally with people other than Samuel.

She dislikes loud voices. She shows aversion towards nobles.

All she remembers is that she is a fox beastkin named Falulu, so she is accompanying Samuel on his journey to search for her parents and memories and regain them.

〘Library〙

Libraries are run by national and private institutions, schools, and individuals, and the types of books they hold vary greatly. Some libraries specialize in books on specific subjects. There are currently no libraries that exclusively stock books on magic or sorcery (because they are quite expensive and theft would be a major loss).

In terms of size, the National Library is the largest and has the most diverse selection of books.

While there is generally an entrance fee, there are quite a few places that are free to enter.

This facility is perfect for broadening your knowledge.

〘Magic: Summoning〙

A job-specific magic spell for summoners.

Use magic to summon wild monsters or befriended partner monsters whom you've formed a contract with.

Summoning is performed by chanting a spell, but there is no fixed, standard spell. The intention to summon is what activates the magic, so some summoners can activate it with just the single letter "a" (however, summoning without chanting is impossible, so something must be said).

What is summoned depends on the amount of magical power the summoner possesses.

When summoning wild monsters, the monsters that appear are basically random. It's possible to get the same monster twice in a row.

Contract magic and repatriation magic can be learnt separately.

The amount of MP consumed varies depending on the target being summoned, but it will never exceed the summoner's maximum MP, so it will not cause status ailments such as magical intoxication (such as mild dizziness, losing consciousness, or feeling nauseous like you're drunk).

〘Sorcery: Summoning〙

A sorcery spell exclusive to summoners.

Using sorcery, you can summon wild monsters or befriended partner monsters with whom you've formed a contract.

Since you summon by drawing a magic circle on the ground or on an object, you can draw it in advance and then quickly prepare for battle by simply applying the magic during combat.

What is summoned depends on the amount of magical power the summoner possesses.

When summoning wild monsters, the monsters that appear are basically random. It's possible to get the same monster twice in a row.

Contract sorcery and repatriation sorcery can be learnt separately.

The amount of MP consumed varies depending on the target being summoned, but it will never exceed the summoner's maximum MP, so it will not cause status ailments such as magical intoxication (such as mild dizziness, losing consciousness, or feeling nauseous like you're drunk).

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Author's note:

I was under a curse to play Harvest Moon, but after playing it so much, my hands are free from the curse, so I will resume posting. (Irregular updates will remain the same, though.)

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