Somewhere in the middle of discussions with Betty and Dottie, Quinn felt Malakai and Eric’s presence enter the Library. The sensation of identifying every single person who passed over the threshold was fascinating. She could have brought up information on anyway who entered the little pocket dimension if she wanted to. As it was, it sufficed for her to purely think she’d like to know when Malakai and Eric arrived, and the protections around the Library had informed her.

  “Librarian?” Betty pushed herself closer to Quinn’s face, her wings humming as she peered into her eyes. “Are you with us?”

  Quinn blinked. “Sorry, just getting used to a few new perks of my abilities expanding.” She tried to offer a smile, while still slotting everything into different compartments in her head. She knew it was a time adjustment thing and that it’d get easier the more she did it. But right now, it was still a chore to manage the mass influx of information that kept bombarding her.

  It was highly obvious Milaro had taught her those compartmentalization techniques first up because he’d had an inkling she’d need them for more than just multitasking.

  “Excellent.” Betty beamed and moved away from Quinn’s face ever so slightly. “Now, what we need to go over is the current roster status. I’m in need of several more golems but with Misha offline and the doctors busy with the hospital don’t you know, it’s been difficult to arrange for new golem creation. I’m not suggesting that you take it on, but Lynx has also been busy and we do need a few to help with the upper levels now that we’ve expanded and, as you can see, are sure to expand again shortly. Well, might I or Dottie have access to create simple task golems?”

  Quinn blinked. It hadn’t been long, but she’d forgotten that the little sprite managed to talk almost as fast as her wings moved. It took several seconds for her to parse the information she’d been given. “Yes, I don’t see why not.” She cringed a little at how long it had taken her to reply, but got straight to it, almost tuning out Betty’s thankful reply... but only almost.

  “Oh thank you! I knew you’d realize it’s the best possible solution. Now don’t go thinking we need access to create anything stronger than some of the carts and the shelving golems. After all, we just need to be able to make sure the Library is still running smoothly. You do have so much to do.”

  Betty sounded like the type of grandma who ushered you over to a table when you arrived and grabbed out freshly baked cookies for you to snack on like she was on a mission to spoil you rotten. Quinn didn’t think it possible to frown around the lively sprite.

  “There you go,” Quinn said as the permissions to create cleaning, shelving, and book transport golems were added to both Dottie and Betty. Though she’d rarely seen them in the Library separately, it was probably best for her to give them both permission, just in case. After all... she couldn’t be sure when one of them would die.

  The thought was sobering.

  Luckily, Betty pulled up some information to share with Quinn and she skimmed over the numbers, glad that they were back to the outstanding book discussion and away from personnel. It was the one thing Quinn didn’t feel as equipped to manage: people. There were just so damn many of them.

  Main Branch Tome Report

  2895 are still outstanding from the initial overdue amount. 15147 books returned. No books in reproduction. 321 in repair status. 15 missing restricted books.

  Horticulture: 612/720

  Bardic Musical: 805/897

  Crafting: 682/730

  Academy: 679/785

  Culinary Arts: 282/282 - Culinary Branch Open - 2950 Books of 3795 remaining, 845 total culinary specialist books returned. Would you like a categorical breakdown? Would you like a categorical breakdown?

  Yes or No?

  Alchemical/Medicinal: 384/384 - Alchemical/Medicinal Branch Open - 5014 of 5892 remaining, Medicinal ingredients verified and stocked, 878 total specialist books returned 483 of which are in repair status. Would you like a categorical breakdown?

  Yes or No?

  Combat: 837/837 - Combat Branch Open - 8462 Books of 9085 remaining, 623 total combat specialist books returned. 212 books in repair status. All books location verified. Would you like a categorical breakdown?

  Yes or No?

  She sighed and wondered if she could just turn the categorical question thing off as a default. It was likely possible, but she didn’t want to take the time right then to figure it out. They hadn’t made too much headway since she’d last checked, but the Musical and Crafting sections were starting to look really promising as the next branches to open.

  Quinn frowned. It felt like she should be able to obtain more information. Directing her enquiry, she focused on asking the system what else it might be pertinent for her to know with regard to the opening of branches and collection of overdue books.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  Note: All branches must be opened in order for the Academy to open. Should all books for the Academy be returned prior to other branches, then the Academy will have to wait. It cannot operate without access to all branches of knowledge.

  Please Note: These numbers are those vital books that must were overdue while the Library was offline. Please note access for all post re-opening overdue books is compiled elsewhere.

  Quinn frowned even though she’d known. Now she had it in writing.

  Eric and Malakai were approaching, and Quinn turned to speak to Betty. “Just concentrate on Crafting and Musical if you can? I know Hal isn’t currently available to do what he did last time, and I don’t expect anyone to go to those lengths again. Just let the books come in organically until we have like a dozen left. Power levels are high enough that it’s not the most important aspect we’re looking at.”

  And before Betty could answer, which was a miracle in and of itself, Eric spoke up.

  “Might want to rephrase that, oh mighty Librarian,” the imp winked at her.

  “And why is that?” she asked, proud of the fact that she didn’t even sigh when she asked.

  “The Academy is wonderful and there are scores of people waiting to get into it.” He gave her a wink and crossed one leg over the other while his now fully healed wings hovered him in place, just like he was sitting on a chair in the air.

  Quinn counted to three before she spoke. “I’ll keep that in mind. Right now, however, I have a ridiculously long list to accomplish and, speaking of which, it’s rather fortuitous that I ran into you.” It was Quinn’s turn to grin.

  Eric groaned, and Malakai laughed. “You should know better than to antagonize her by now.”

  The imp eyed him viciously. “But it’s what I do!” he complained.

  Quinn supposed he was right. Given the suitable circumstances, Eric could be rather infuriating.

  Before she could say anything else, Malakai moved closer, and took Quinn’s hand, lifting it to examine it more closely. She had to fight a blush rising in her cheeks at the action even though there was no real reason for it, because she knew why he’d done it.

  “This is really gorgeous you know?” He said softly, looking up at her. “The scales seem so delicate, but I bet nothing will get through this armor on a first or second hit. Probably not even a third. Have you tried it out yet?”

  Quinn laughed. Because of course her combat instructor’s first thought was to test out this new fangled armor she was sporting. She composed herself and raised an eyebrow. “I haven’t yet tested it out. My trainer has conveniently not been here...”

  Malakai chuckled ruefully as he dropped her hand. “Touché. But we should rectify that.”

  Eric was now hovering around her, checking out all the places where the scales popped out of her clothing. It just didn’t cover her head, although Quinn was mostly sure it would emerge if it needed to. But when it covered her face, she couldn’t quite speak, or breathe as well as she’d like. Fine tuning needed to happen.

  The imp’s entire face lit up. “This is so cool. What else can it do?”

  Quinn sighed and extended the shielding to cover both Malakai and Eric. “There we go.” She said, showing off a little, even though the effort it took was considerably more than it had been. Her energy and mana levels were high enough now that she could pretty much hold this over the three of them indefinitely if she needed to.

  Eric held out his arms in awe. “Seriously? I have like liquid dragon scales?” He frowned and jiggled his arm. “Wait, it’s not liquid, just see through?”

  Malakai rolled his eyes. “It’s scale armor. But it’s Quinn’s magic. She’s protecting us.”

  “Looks cool all the same.” Eric acted like Malakai hadn’t mentioned anything new.

  Dottie was trotting around the three of them while Betty was already lost in conversation with some of the Library assistants. The bench frowned. “This is unusual.”

  Quinn shrugged. “I’m not exactly your usual Librarian, right?”

  Dottie paused, and Quinn could hear the smile in her voice even before she spoke. “Well, that is an accurate statement. We wouldn’t want you any other way, mind now, Quinn. Make sure you don’t reduce the efficacy of your own armor in order to protect those who really should be protecting you.” Her tone was gentle, but it did hit home.

  The thing was, Quinn hadn’t ever really been badly hurt. But both Malakai and Eric had taken substantial injuries for her. Both of which had been unacceptable. “I promise I’ll make sure I’m safe as well, but it’s always important that I protect whoever I can when we’re trying to bring books back.”

  Which, if Quinn stopped to examine what she was saying, should have made her head explode. Who, in the universe, went out to retrieve an overdue book and had to don armor so they didn’t get killed or maimed while trying to collect said tome? Quinn and her army of vicious Library assistants, that’s who!

  It was so comical to her in that moment that she had to really tamp down on the laughter bubbling in her throat.

  Dottie did that weird movement that passed for a nod. “Just please take care of you. As long as you do, we can all take care of you, too.” And then she trotted off to join Betty and the other assistants.

  Quinn gaped as she watched her go, trying to make sure what the bench had said actually made sense.

  “Close your mouth, Librarian,” Eric said as he hovered right next to her. “Don’t want to catch flies.”

  She glared at him, but did close her mouth.

  “Anyway!” the imp continued. “Were you just showing off how cool your new group armor 101 is, or did you actually have a task for us today?”

  Quinn’s glare intensified. “Do you know that sometimes you’re not the nicest person?”

  Eric shrugged. “Pretty much. I’m an imp. It’d go against my nature.”

  “I thought I was your wit sparring partner?” Malakai interjected.

  Eric rolled his eyes this time. “You’ve been too slow lately. Quinn is on the ball today and it’s easier to flex my brain muscles with a willing participant.”

  Despite herself, Quinn laughed. “Fine. Follow me. But don’t try to dismiss my armor.”

  “Why not?” Malakai fell into step beside her while Eric hovered on the other side.

  Quinn winked at them. “Because we have to go downstairs and check on Ashiron, and this way I don’t need to get you guys any protective gear because you’re already protected.”

  “That went to her head quickly.” Eric quipped to Malakai.

  “She does that sometimes. Let her get used to her new toys.” The elf responded.

  “Just for that.” Quinn said, “You two can catch the elevator yourselves. See you there.”

  And without a second thought, Quinn warped through down to the filtration chamber.

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