Ian walked into the Library.
He looked ahead.
Blackstone shelves held all kinds of books and Knowledge Crystals.
The first floor was in disarray. Great stretches of shelving had collapsed, and books lay in haphazard piles.
There were even bloodstains on the floor.
Clearly, more than a few fights had broken out here.
Ian picked up a book from the floor.
It was about a fire-attribute Meditation Method.
Its contents were unremarkable, but the paper had a faint brown tint and felt almost warm to the touch.
"The Crimson Eye lies in a volcanic region. This is paper they make specially to withstand high temperatures. Academies in different environments usually adapt in little ways. You simply haven't traveled enough."
Renard came over as he spoke.
Ian nodded.
That was true.
Because of the supernatural, environments varied enormously across this world, and their effects reached into every aspect of life.
He had seen it all along their way here.
Most buildings used Blackstone, some structures resembled honeycomb briquettes, the glass blocked red light, and most Witch Robes bore cooling runes...
Detail after detail.
They must have seemed perfectly natural to the people of this world, but to him, they felt novel.
That was one reason he liked this world.
So besides growing stronger, he had always wanted to travel and see it. If nowhere else, he ought to see White Stone Territory.
Ian kept the thought to himself.
But he was nowhere near strong enough yet. Mid Second Ring was respectable, but some places were still far too dangerous.
One step at a time.
Ian drew a deep breath.
He followed Renard toward the Library's upper floors.
The first floor held only First Ring material, which naturally held no appeal for him. The truly valuable things were upstairs.
Most of those