Nero stepped into the courtyard, his gaze drifting upwards as he spotted one of Mahoutokoro's most fascinating features, its transportation Shikigami.
Unlike the moving staircases of Hogwarts or the enchanted carriages at Beauxbatons, Mahoutokoro had an elegant, seamless way of ferrying students across its grand campus.
A faint whisper of wind brushed past him as he raised a hand.
In an instant, a shimring, paper-like construct folded into existence before him.
The Shikigami was shaped like an ethereal bird, its body marked with delicate kanji that pulsed with light.
As if recognizing his intent, it flapped its ink-lined wings and hovered expectantly.
"Library," Nero said clearly.
The Shikigami chirped in response, then swooped in a graceful arc, circling him once before settling by his feet.
Nero stepped onto the floating construct, feeling a gentle pulse of magic beneath his soles.
Without another word, the Shikigami surged forward, carrying him effortlessly through the air.
The sensation was unlike anything he had experienced at Hogwarts, there was no jarring motion, no sudden acceleration, only a smooth glide as if he were being carried by a gentle current.
The journey was brief yet breathtaking.
As he soared across the school grounds, Nero caught glimpses of Mahoutokoro's expansive architecture, the sweeping pagoda-style towers, the cascading waterfalls that shimred with hidden enchantnts, and the stone bridges linking different sections of the school.
It was a place steeped in magic, yet entirely different from Hogwarts' ancient castles and secret corridors.
Then, in the distance, he saw it, the library.
The building was imnse, standing like a temple devoted to knowledge.
Its exterior was a masterpiece of traditional Japanese design, yet infused with a sense of grandeur only a wizarding institution could provide.
Towering pillars held up a sloping roof adorned with golden accents, and beneath it, massive paper lanterns floated in midair, each glowing with an inner light that illuminated kanji inscriptions of wisdom.
The Shikigami transportation gently descended, landing in front of the grand entrance.
Nero stepped off, watching as the Shikigami bowed lightly before folding itself into a paper crane and vanishing in a ripple of energy.
Taking a deep breath, Nero stepped inside.
The mont he crossed the threshold, he felt the shift in atmosphere.
If Hogwarts' library was a labyrinth of towering bookshelves filled with centuries of knowledge, Mahoutokoro's library was another type of breathing, living entity.
Shelves curved and spiraled in elegant formations, shifting like the branches of an ancient tree, adjusting to the needs of its visitors.
The scent of old parchnt and fresh ink filled the air, and the faint hum of magic resonated through the space.
Zen was right, Nero mused, eyes wide with awe.
It was different from Hogwarts', but no less impressive.
His gaze wandered through the vast hall, taking in the countless bookshelves, each section illuminated by orbs of gentle blue light.
In the far distance, he noticed an elevated platform, upon which a golden-stamped plaque hung.
Though he couldn't see beyond it, a thought crept into his mind.
Is there a restricted section here as well?
Before he could ponder further, a soft voice called out behind him.
"A new face in our halls of wisdom?"
Turning, Nero found himself facing an elegant woman with a poised deanor.
She wore the traditional robes of a Mahoutokoro scholar, her dark hair neatly pinned with a single ornantal hairpin in the shape of an ink brush.
Despite her calm presence, there was an unmistakable glint of excitent in her eyes.
"I am the librarian in charge of this sacred place," she said smoothly. "And you are?"
"Nero," he answered, before adding, "Nero Ravenclaw."
For a mont, silence stretched between them.
Then, to his surprise, the librarian's eyes widened, and she let out a soft gasp.
"Ravenclaw? So you are the third year transfer student from Hogwarts I heard about!" she echoed, her voice tinged with astonishnt.
"Rowena Ravenclaw has been my idol since the first day I learned of her brilliance.
To et a seeker of knowledge from her house is truly an honor."
Nero smiled softly. "Knowledge is borderless. I have felt that even more since arriving in Japan. I'm glad to have t a fellow seeker of it."
The librarian's expression ward, and she gave a nod of respect.
"Indeed, knowledge knows no boundaries. Here at Mahoutokoro's library, we support all who pursue it with a true heart! Allow to explain how our system works."
She gestured to the floating orbs of light, which drifted gracefully through the air, their soft glow subtly marking distinct sections within the library.
"Each area is overseen by Shikigami custodians, spirits who maintain order.
From what I've read about Hogwarts, its library requires one to wander between shelves and select books personally.
Here, however, you only need to ask a Shikigami, and it will bring the book you seek."
As if on cue, a small paper fox appeared beside her, bowing its head politely before unfolding into a scroll.
Nero watched in fascination as an elegant script appeared on its surface, listing the various volus available in the magical theory section.
"In addition to fetching books, these Shikigami will also provide summaries, direct you to cross-referenced material, and even assist with translations," she continued.
"All you need is curiosity."
"That," Nero said, "is sothing I have in abundance."
The librarian chuckled. "Then you will feel at ho here."
With a slight bow, she stepped aside.
"Take your ti, Nero Ravenclaw. May your thirst for knowledge never be quenched."
Nero wasted no ti.
With a renewed sense of excitent, he approached a Shikigami shaped like a tiny owl and requested a couple of books on Fūinjutsu, Onmyōdō theory, Shikigami art, Elental Convergence, Martial Spellcraft and Barrier Magic.
The owl nodded, then zipped away, its form dissolving into glowing fragnts before returning monts later with several books in tow.
He spent the rest of the day imrsed in study, flipping through pages filled with ancient kanji, unraveling concepts that challenged his understanding of magic.
Occasionally, he would call for another book, and the Shikigami would dutifully fetch it for him.
Ti lost its aning as he delved deeper into the mysteries of Mahoutokoro's magical foundations.
By the ti he finally leaned back, stretching his stiff shoulders, the library had grown quieter, the golden glow of evening filtering through the enchanted windows.
A satisfied smile played on his lips.
'This place...' he thought. 'It may not be Hogwarts, but it is magnificent in its own way'.
'And I intend to learn everything it has to offer'.
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50 Chapters ahead on Patreon (Suiijin): Chapter 163: The Price of Defiance
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