I'm surprised I updated so quickly, but nevertheless here's chapter two.
There was naught but the sound of echoes from above as I descended the staircase. The space was tight, a constant descending loop sealed off by stone gently glowing with magical runes. I noted how surprisingly clean the air felt the deeper I went. My heart began to pound in anticipation of the knowledge I planned to gain. Try as I might to tell myself my intentions were pure, the twitch of excitement my hand gave as I reached the bottom of the staircase was unmistakable. Before me stood massive rows of bookshelves, all looking down at me with seeming contempt. They held secrets and knowledge as old, it seemed, time itself.
''Rank?''
I turned my head. A hologram sat patiently behind a desk, her form illuminating the otherwise dark library. Before I had a chance to speak, she continued.
''Please state your rank so that restrictions may ensue. You will, otherwise, be unable to enter or exit the library until the proper authority has been called.'' Her voice, though robotic and without much emotion, was loud. I became quickly worried that someone all the way upstairs would hear her. ''Rank?''
''Silver.'' I answered instantly this time, my ears warming beneath my hood as I lowered my head a tad.
''Please provide proof of your...silver rank.''
I reached into my hood and clasped at cold metal resting at my collar. I raised it, pulling the silver medal from around my neck and giving it to her, my hand trembling. I wasn't exactly sure what would happen next. Not because I hadn't been here before, however. It had been my first time dealing with a non human receptionist. With humans, they simply take the medal, scan it, and then unlock the entire library. They warn however, that trying to access knowledge above what you have earned learning is not only strictly forbidden, but has very harsh consequences. I couldn't help but wonder how they'd know, with no one constantly walking around. I wondered in the net thought if the chain warden had ever gotten the pleasure of tearing apart someone breaking a rule as simple as staying to your part of the library.
'The council I work for...is a hard handed one, I will admit. I don't think I'd put it past them.'
At that thought, the hologram reached out and to my surprise, it's hand not only went through mine, but trailed up my arm with a cold and crackling energy.
''Now scanning summoner magical ability.''
My head began to pound and I gasped in pain, trying to yank my arm back to no avail. It was as if lightening were holding me to that spot, painless, cold jolts flicking all throughout my body. I began to panic.
'I'm not supposed to be here...this was a mistake...what have I done.'
''Sto-''
''Scan complete.''
The words brought both a mental and physical relief as the sensations left as quickly as they had come. My legs like pudding, I dropped to my knees, unable to grab the counter in time. The hologram stared down at me, her eyes cold and hard.
''Magical ability level matching silver is incorrect.''
My heart began to pound painfully. I was terrified. She continued.
''Please state your rank.''
''I...I...bronze...?''
She froze. She spoke.
''Magical ability level matching bronze is incorrect.''
I continued to look at her, my fear slowing giving way to confusion.
''Please state your rank.''
This isn't right. I'm supposed to be judged based on my division among my fellow summoners, not my raw power.
'What's going on...?'
''Please state your rank.''
I gave a wry chuckle, concluding that the hologram had to have been a spell perhaps left here by a lazy worker who wanted to leave early. I composed myself, slowly standing as the cold finally left my body. I would have to come back another day.
''Please state your rank.''
''Don't you ever shut up? You want a rank? I'm diamond. There.'' I spat the last word, gathering myself as I began to walk upstairs. The sound of shifting stopped me in my tracks. It was the familiar shifting of the library being fully unlocked. My entire body froze, my eyes widening as the hologram spoke to my back.
''Magical ability matching diamond is correct.''
I turned to her, the words 'You're joking' lost on my lips as the library changed before me in a way it never had.
''Now granting access to all of diamond level information. Please ensure to leave the library within thirteen minutes. You will, otherwise, be escorted out by proper authority. Enjoy your stay, and good luck on the rift, summoner.''
And with that, she was gone, and I left on my knees once again, my hood falling back as I stared in awe at what was before me.
''Oh my God...''
Massive rows of books towered above my on either side as if making hallways. It was beautiful to look at, but even in my astounding I couldn't shake the confusal and slowly dawning dread I felt.
'I'm not supposed to be here.'
I turned sharply, looking around for the woman but saw no one. As I stood, I heard a voice that made me flinch.
''Oi. It's a little late, no?''
My heart thudding, I turned and came face to face with another summoner, the soft glint of a diamond medal peeking from beneath their hood. I had the thought suddenly, to throw my own hood back up, but it was far too late. They reached up, their hand clasping the side of their robe to pull it back. A surprisingly gentle face lie there.
'' Forgive me for saying so but given that I haven't seen you before...I have to note a few things. One is that it's quite late.''
As he spoke, I remained tempted to recover my face.
''Two...your magical energy isn't very strong. It's obvious you don't belong here-''
''It's true.'' I interrupted, a rare thing for me to do. ''I don't belong here. I...I ran into this hologram in the main entrance and-''
I stopped when they gave an annoyed sigh and muttered, ''That damn thing...I thought they got rid of it.''
''Rid of it?''
''Yes.'' he continued. ''Usually when the lower ranks are finished with their play for fun, they leave. In divisions like ours...we practically live here.''
As he spoke, he motioned for me to walk with him. ''But since it's empty on the lower levels around this time...the order leaves the watching to a spell thrown together. It's irresponsible, yes, but...over the years it's proven helpful since summoners of lower division rarely ever come here at this hour. Which now begs the question...''
I knew it was coming. He paused, one finger tracing down the spine of a book as his eyes met mine, his head not turning. The gentle air of the room seemed to disappear all at once, his voice lowering in a way that gave a whole new meaning to 'calm before the storm.'
''What are you doing here so late?''
