The restricted section of the library lies three floors beneath the academy's oldest tower, home to the Empire's most precious magical texts. Entry requires a special permit and recommendation letters from at least two professors.

Fortunately, as the daughter of Duke Ethelgard, I possessed sufficient status and resources to secure these documents. Even more fortunately, my rebirth had given me perfect clarity about what I needed.


"Star Dust Weaving"—the specialization I'd chosen for myself. This magic combined spatial manipulation, elemental control, and mental force projection into an extremely advanced and dangerous system. The original storyline never described it in detail, meaning I'd have to research it from scratch.

But that's precisely why I chose it. A completely unknown field meant no one could predict the limits of my power.

For a whole week, I spent nearly all my free time in the restricted section. Heavy parchment tomes, spell analyses written in ancient magical languages, and experimental records labeled "Extremely Dangerous—For Research Only" became my daily companions.


But problems soon emerged.

I'd compiled a list of twelve core texts essential for my research. Eight I could borrow without issue. But the remaining four always showed as "checked out" no matter when I inquired.


"Detailed Explanation of Spatial Folding Theory," "Research on Mental Force Geometric Projection," "Mathematical Models of Elemental Resonance," and "Complete Collection of Ancient Celestial Magic"—these four crucial texts seemed perpetually possessed by some mysterious borrower.

At first, I suspected a professor conducting related research, but Old Caries, the administrator, informed me the borrower was a student.

"I'm sorry, Miss Ethelgard. That student's borrowing period hasn't expired yet, and rules forbid me from disclosing their identity."

This irritated me deeply. Though I maintained outward politeness, impatience simmered beneath the surface. My time was precious—I couldn't waste it on pointless waiting.

By the second week, nothing had changed. Those four books remained "checked out," and the borrower apparently had no intention of returning them.

I tried alternatives—searching for texts on similar topics or approaching Star Dust Weaving from different angles. But I quickly discovered those four books were on my core list for good reason—they were truly irreplaceable.

On Wednesday night of the third week, my patience snapped.

The library closed at 10 PM, but the Restricted Section operated under special rules—students with research permits could apply for overnight reading privileges. I decided to use this provision to track down my mysterious competitor.

At midnight, deathly silence blanketed the Restricted Section. Only faint light from magic lamps swayed between ancient bookshelves, casting eerie, dancing shadows.

I crept between towering shelves, searching for any other presence. Though it felt like some childish secret mission, I desperately needed to know who was hindering my progress.

Just as I considered abandoning my search, the whisper of turning pages reached me from the reading room in the section's deepest recess.

I approached cautiously and peered through the glass panel in the door to see a familiar figure.

Silver hair gleaming in the lamplight, an elegant form bent over ancient tomes… Karen Valerius.

And there in his hands lay "Detailed Explanation of Spatial Folding Theory."

So that was it. My mysterious book thief was none other than him.

I pushed open the door, my footsteps echoing in the silent room. Karen looked up, surprise flashing in those deep blue eyes.

"Miss Ethelgard? It's rather late. What brings you here?"

"Looking for whoever's been hoarding the texts I need," I answered bluntly. "Didn't expect it would be you."

Karen glanced at the ancient tome in his hand, then back at me, comprehension dawning. "I see. You're also researching spatial magic?"

"Not just spatial magic." I took the seat opposite him. "'Research on Mental Force Geometric Projection,' 'Mathematical Models of Elemental Resonance,' 'Complete Collection of Ancient Celestial Magic'—you have all these books too, don't you?"

He nodded, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "It seems our research interests overlap. However, since it's first come, first served, you'll need to wait until I finish before—"

"Your interpretation of the spatial folding array on page 147 is wrong."

My words stopped him cold. He frowned and quickly flipped to the page I'd mentioned.

"This array clearly creates small spatial rifts. There's nothing wrong with my understanding—"

"You've reversed the auxiliary runes," I cut in calmly. "The spiral rune in the third ring—you think it goes clockwise, but it's counterclockwise. This completely alters the spatial coordinates of the entire array."

Karen's expression darkened. He studied the array again, but clearly couldn't spot his error.

"I don't see any error in my interpretation. The drawing method for this rune clearly indicates—"

"'Ancient Rune Standard Manual,' page 23, on standard drawing methods for spiral runes," I continued. "Check it yourself. Besides, under your interpretation, the spatial rift would collapse inward—physically impossible."

This time Karen fell silent. He quickly consulted several reference texts to verify my claim. Minutes later, his expression soured.

"…You're right." He finally admitted. "I did reverse the runes."

"That's just the first mistake." I pressed on. "On page 203, you've also misunderstood the calculation formula for spatial anchoring."

"What?"

"You've treated the increasing function of magical power consumption as decreasing. According to your understanding, the larger the space folding range, the less magical power consumed—which obviously violates conservation of energy."

Karen flipped to the page, his expression growing grimmer. For someone so proud of his academic prowess, having errors repeatedly exposed was clearly devastating.

But facts were facts. After careful comparison and calculation, he again had to concede I was right.

"There's a third error," I continued mercilessly. "The compound spatial array on page 298—you've completely misunderstood its fundamental principle."

"That's impossible—"

"You think this array stabilizes spatial structures, but it actually analyzes them. The entire formation doesn't create—it decomposes. This fundamental misunderstanding would render all your subsequent research worthless."

This time, Karen didn't immediately check. He just stared at me, shock and disbelief etched across his face.

After several minutes of silence, he began verifying my third claim. This was the most complex error, involving the integrated application of multiple magical theory branches.

Half an hour passed.

Karen slowly closed the book, his face now a storm cloud. But beneath that frustration, I glimpsed something else—genuine respect.

"You're… completely right," his voice dropped low. "Three errors, and not one false accusation."

He pushed "Detailed Explanation of Spatial Folding Theory" toward me. "This book—you clearly need it more than I do."

His gesture surprised me. I'd expected more stubbornness, or at least some attempt to justify his mistakes. Instead, he acknowledged his shortcomings and voluntarily surrendered the materials.

Such honesty and grace were truly unexpected.

"Thank you," I took the book, keeping my tone neutral. "What about the other three?"

Karen gave a rueful smile. "Seems I need to revisit my theoretical foundations. Since you spotted my basic errors at a glance, my holding onto those books would just waste time."

He rose and disappeared behind the bookshelves. Minutes later, he returned with the three remaining texts I needed.

"'Research on Mental Force Geometric Projection,' 'Mathematical Models of Elemental Resonance,' 'Complete Collection of Ancient Celestial Magic.'" He placed each book before me. "All yours."

Staring at the four ancient texts, I felt something complex stir within me. Since my rebirth, this was the first time someone had shown me genuine respect based solely on my abilities.

Not for my background. Not for political advantage. Not with ulterior motives. Simply because I'd demonstrated superior knowledge, I'd earned the respect of someone equally gifted.

This feeling… was unfamiliar, but not unwelcome.

"What's your research focus?" I asked.

"I was researching practical applications of spatial teleportation magic," Karen answered, "but clearly my foundational theory needs significant work."

"Spatial teleportation is valuable work," I nodded. "But if you want real breakthroughs in that field, start by revisiting 'Fundamentals of Dimensional Mathematics.'"

"'Fundamentals of Dimensional Mathematics'?"

"Third floor, catalog number AX-0847. Dry reading, but it'll help you build a proper Spatial Magic Theoretical Framework. Without that foundation, any advanced spatial magic research is just castles in the air."

Karen carefully noted my suggestion, then looked up. "And you? What's your research direction?"

I hesitated. Star Dust Weaving was my secret weapon, and revealing too much would be unwise. But after witnessing Karen's sincerity, I decided to share the basics.

"I'm developing an entirely new magical system," I answered. "One that integrates spatial manipulation, elemental control, and mental force projection."

"An entirely new system?" Karen's eyes widened with surprise and interest. "That's… remarkably ambitious."

"That's why I need these books." I ran my fingers lightly over the ancient tomes. "Each contains theoretical foundations I require."

Karen fell silent for a moment. "If… if you need someone to discuss and verify your research with, I'm willing to help. Assuming I can keep up with your theoretical level, of course."

His proposal caught me off guard. Collaboration? Since my rebirth, I'd never considered it. My plan had always been solitary study, relying solely on myself to gain power.

But I had to admit, a clever partner could prove useful. Despite his theoretical gaps, Karen's overall abilities far exceeded ordinary students. More importantly, he'd shown genuine respect for scholarship.

"I'll consider it," I finally answered.

Not a promise, but not a rejection either. The biggest concession I could offer.

Karen nodded, seeming to understand my caution. "Well then, I won't disturb your research further."

He gathered his things and headed for the door. At the threshold, he paused and turned back.

"Miss Ethelgard, tonight you've shown me what true erudition means. I look forward to our next exchange."

With that, he vanished into the darkness of the restricted section.

Left alone with the four precious texts, I found the stirrings in my heart difficult to quiet.

That feeling of pure acknowledgment and respect had awakened something long dormant within me. The Eliana from my previous life—who yearned to be understood and truly seen—seemed to briefly resurrect in this moment.

But I quickly suppressed these emotions.

Now wasn't the time for sentimentality. I had more important tasks—master Star Dust Weaving, gain enough power to protect myself, and ensure tragedy would never repeat itself.

As for Karen Valerius… he was indeed a respectable rival and potential partner. But nothing more than that.

I opened "Detailed Explanation of Spatial Folding Theory" to its first page and immersed myself in research once more.

In the silent depths of night, only the whisper of turning pages and my steady breathing echoed through the ancient restricted section.