Danmachi: A Despicable Stranger

Chapter 69: Riveria is in trouble

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After making her decision, Riveria walked to another corner of the library to avoid disturbing Lefiya's studies.

Izzy naturally followed, leaving Lefiya to her focused efforts.

As they moved through the rows of shelves filled with the scent of books and ink, Riveria spoke softly:

"Izzy, it seems you already have some ideas about how to develop your magic, and you appear to have decided on a direction. I won't try to persuade you to change your path, but could you share your thoughts with me? It'll help me tailor your learning plan."

Although Riveria wasn't a teacher with years of formal training or research, she understood the importance of teaching according to each student's aptitude. Forcing her own ideas on Izzy would be irresponsible—not just to him, but to herself as a teacher.

Learning, after all, is a process of mutual growth. Sometimes, a student's insights can surpass those of the teacher. The key is to remain humble.

"Of course," Izzy replied, nodding, before beginning to outline his ideas.

His primary focus was on the development of "star magic." He envisioned expanding its use beyond its current applications of astrology, star maps, and planetariums. While hitting opponents with celestial power was a strong foundation, he sought to explore more advanced directions, such as gravity manipulation and gravitational force—natural phenomena of the stars.

Furthermore, Izzy noted that stars possess healing properties. He mused about developing healing magic, potentially inspired by the nurturing energy of the stars, likening it to the "stability of Star Mother's milk." For this, he mentioned seeking advice from a healer to refine this concept.

As for "rock magic," Izzy had already mastered spells like Waste Maker and Heaven Moving All Things. His next goal was to develop abilities that could shape mountains and seas, turn wastelands into stars, and make the very land shine as brightly as the scorching sun.

"Put all the points into it!" Izzy said with conviction.

He imagined future battles beginning with terrain-altering spells that no monster could endure. He reasoned that the dungeon's increasingly spacious lower levels provided ample room for such large-scale magic, making it an ideal setting for testing these abilities.

It's worth noting that the dungeon's structure grows wider and more expansive the deeper one goes. For example, the 40th floor alone rivals the entire city of Orario in size. Each floor below the 40th is even larger.

"With space like that, why not go all-in on large-scale AOE magic?" Izzy asked rhetorically.

Eventually, the two arrived at a wooden seating area in the library's corner. As Izzy continued to share his plans, the level of detail he provided surprised Riveria. For someone only sixteen, his foresight and thoroughness were remarkable.

He had thought of everything—defense, crowd control, wide-area annihilation magic, single-target attack magic, and even endurance-related skills. He'd even considered incorporating healing magic into his repertoire.

What more could be changed about such a comprehensive plan?

If everything progressed smoothly, Izzy would undoubtedly grow into a hexagonal warrior—a versatile and balanced mage with no glaring weaknesses.

As a teacher, all Riveria could do was provide him with more knowledge and resources to ensure his development proceeded smoothly. It was rare to encounter a student who required so little guidance, yet Riveria couldn't shake an inexplicable sense of frustration when thinking about Izzy's future.

Shaking her head to dispel her musings, she refocused on the present.

"For your goals and development direction, I don't have much to add," Riveria admitted. "However, I do have something that might help you. Follow me."

She led Izzy to a tall bookcase near the library's far wall.

The "bookcase" Riveria referred to wasn't just a single shelf; it was an enormous structure stretching across most of the wall, filled with countless tomes.

"It should be here… Izzy, come and help me find a book with a golden olive tree mark on the cover."

The elf gestured toward the towering shelves. As the memory of its exact location was vague due to the passage of time, she enlisted Izzy's help.

"What's special about the book, Teacher Riveria?" Izzy asked, his curiosity piqued.

"You'll know once we find it," she replied, glancing back at him with a slight smile.

"…Alright~"

The two divided the massive bookcase between them, each scanning half for the elusive book.

After a few minutes, Izzy finished inspecting his section but found no book with the described marking. Meanwhile, on her side, Riveria stopped abruptly near the corner of the shelf, tilting her head back.

"Who put it up there?"

She stared at the book perched high above, her eyes twitching slightly.

In her memory, she distinctly recalled placing the book at a height she could easily reach. Yet now, it was out of reach, requiring her to stretch far beyond her considerable stature.

At this height, even with her long limbs, she fell just short. Without her staff, which she hadn't thought to bring—after all, who carries a magic staff for reading or teaching?—retrieving the book seemed impossible.

"…Ridiculous."

Riveria fell silent for a moment, her expression a mix of annoyance and embarrassment.

Should I stand on a stool to get it? she wondered. But asking my student for help seems embarrassing… Then again, isn't it equally embarrassing to admit I can't reach it myself?

For a moment, the elven royal remained in quiet deliberation, caught between pride and practicality.

"Teacher Riveria, I didn't find any books with the golden olive tree mark on my side. Did you?"

Izzy's voice pulled her from her thoughts as he approached, seemingly oblivious to her internal struggle.

"…Izzy."

"Yes?"

"Go fetch that book. The one above me."

Placing a hand on her forehead in mild resignation, she stretched out her other hand, pointing directly at the object of her frustration.

Suppressing a smile at the unexpectedly vulnerable scene, Izzy nodded and stepped forward. Standing on tiptoe, he easily reached for the book.

"Analysis of the Stars, with the golden olive tree mark. Is this the one you're looking for, Teacher?" he asked, flipping it over to confirm.

"Yes," Riveria replied, her posture relaxing. "Who's the author?"

"The author is… the goddess Astraea!?"

Izzy's voice rose with astonishment as he read the name on the cover. He flipped open the first few pages to verify, his surprise growing.

Suddenly, his entire demeanor shifted, and he held the book with newfound reverence.

This wasn't just any book—it was an astrological treatise by the Goddess of Stars!

Astraea, the goddess of justice, order, and stars, was a figure revered in both lore and legend. Her association with purity and virtue was matched only by her influence over celestial matters.

And she wasn't just an abstract deity to Izzy—she was also the patron goddess of Ryuu.

"Astraea once lived in this city, but…"

Riveria's voice trailed off as she glanced at the book, a faint wistfulness in her tone. She shook her head, choosing not to elaborate, and redirected the conversation.

"This book was exchanged between Loki and me, a gift from the goddess Astraea herself. It's one of my most prized possessions. I haven't revisited it in years, but now it seems perfectly suited to your needs. Study it carefully, Izzy. If you come across anything you don't understand, you can always ask me."

"Understood!" Izzy replied with enthusiasm.

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