Yui says "Welcome back, Ash. Is there something you need?"

  "Yes, there is. I was wondering if it would be alright if I borrow some books from the library. I am bored, but if I run off to find something to do I will end up getting in trouble."

  Yui laughs and says "Sure, I don't mind. I trust you to return them."

  "Of course I will. On the other hand, I can just make copies of them and then add them to Lin's library."

  Yui says "That would also be acceptable. Lin has been copying quite a few of the books she has been reading. I know that there is no chance of anyone gaining unauthorized access to her library."

  "True. It is almost as well guarded as your library is."

  Yui says "Is there anything else you need?"

  "No, not at the moment. Just want some books to fight the boredom."

  Yui says "Alright, well take or copy whatever you need. Let me know if you need anything. Lin is currently in the library and has materials for copying."

  "Okay, thank you."

  When I walk into the library I spot Lin, but to my surprise she is alone. The reason I am surprised is that I was expecting Bella to be here with her. Lin is completely absorbed in the book that she is reading, so it is easy for me to surprise her.

  Lin screams and yells "Ash, I told you to stop sneaking up on me!!"

  "I didn't sneak! I walked over normally, you just weren't paying attention!"

  Lin says "You could have said something instead of coming up right behind me! You did that on purpose!"

  "It's not my fault that you are adorable when you are surprised! I just couldn't resist! I understand losing yourself in a book, but you should keep at least a little awareness of your surroundings."

  Lin says "You are right, but I only let myself get fully absorbed when I am in a safe environment. Anyway, what are you doing here?"

  "I came to get some books to read while I am stuck keeping myself out of trouble."

  Lin says "In other words, you are bored!"

  "Yeah, I am. There are plenty of things that I want to do, but I promised to stay out of trouble until Myria gets back."

  Lin says "I am guessing that all the things you want to do involve a certain amount of risk?"

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  "No, not all. Some do involve risk, but others just involve being away for a while and I can't do that because I need to monitor the situation in the empire. I need to be ready to act if Myria or any of the kids get into trouble."

  Lin says "That makes sense. Well, what books are you looking for? I will copy them for you and before you leave, I can help with your boredom, at least for a couple of hours."

  With a smile I take Lin up on her second offer first, but we don't leave the library. In order to take advantage of the time dilation, we have our fun in one of the reading rooms. Of course, it is possible for someone else to come into the library, but that just adds some spice.

  Once we are finished with our fun, I ask Yui to gather some books for me. I ask her for the books she has on summoning magic, golems, gate magic, and time magic. As the books arrive and pile up, Lin gives me a dirty look, but starts copying them.

  As she copies them, I put the copies into my pouch and the sprites take the originals. She doesn't say anything or complain, probably because these books will end up in her library. She would have ended up copying them eventually anyway and she knows it.

  Lin says "That's the last of them. Anything else you need?"

  "Nope! Thank you!"

  However, even though the books are done, I don't leave straight away. Instead. I spend some time cuddling with Lin while she goes back to reading her book. I stick around long enough for Lin to get hungry so that we can eat together.

  "Oh yeah, where is Bella?"

  Lin says "She made a trip to Illium. She wanted to meet some of the others that were summoned here."

  "Oh. That makes sense."

  Lin says "That and I think that she got bored of sitting and watching me read all the time. Her knowledge of magic isn't advanced enough yet for most of the books here. I've continued teaching her, but she isn't as interested in magic as we are."

  "I doubt that there are many people out there as interested in magic as you. Even I can't match up to your desire for knowledge. I am not saying that that is a bad thing, just that you shouldn't expect to meet many people who are like you."

  Lin says "It's okay, I am aware. That's why I didn't have a problem with it when she wanted to go explore. You don't need to try and cheer me up, although I appreciate it, we are doing just fine."

  "Alright. I just want to make sure you are happy."

  Lin says "I am. You don't need to worry about me. Just take care of the things that you need to do."

  "Okay. I will do as I am told, but if you need anything, make sure to speak up. No matter what is going on, I will make time for you."

  Lin says "Don't tell me that that is why you want the time magic books?!"

  "Not specifically, but with how useful the time dilation has been, I was going to look into it. Don't worry, I am only doing research. I will discuss it with you before I do any experimenting."

  Lin says "You better! Knowing your luck, you will get sucked into the past or another world or something similar!"

  "I want to argue that, but I really can't. Like I said, I am just doing research for now. I will be careful."

  Lin says "Alright, I will trust you, for now."

  Once we are done chatting, I say goodbye to Lin, which involves several minutes of kissing. Then, after saying goodbye to Yui, I open a gate and head through to the fort. As soon as I step out of the gate, I see Leonarr running over, something must have happened.

  Leonarr says "My King, welcome back! We have a problem!"

  "What happened?!"

  Leonarr says "One of our rally points has been surrounded by human troops!"

  "The imperial army?"

  Leonarr says "I don't know! The emergency message didn't have that much information."

  "Alright. Are my kids or Myria involved?"

  Leonarr says "No, they are in other areas."

  "That's a relief. Okay, where are they? I will go and help."

  Leonarr looks relieved as he takes out a map and shows me where the rally point is. Luckily, it isn't too far from the cleric's estate that I helped to raid, so I can gate pretty close. I quickly open a gate and head through, then as soon as I am through I take to the air.