My System Forces Me to Live off Women

Chapter 368 - 284: Love for Sale

Clarence Magic Academy, Library.

Located at the center of the facility, the four directions—east, south, west, and north—seemed endless, with bookshelves in all directions. From a high vantage point, the densely packed shelves were intimidating at first glance.

Standing on the ground, just a glance upward revealed that the ceiling was not made of any traditional building material; instead, it was constructed of books of varying sizes and thicknesses, defying gravity, quietly suspended, forming the library’s ceiling.

Some books seemed to have taken the role of lighting fixtures in the real world, emitting a soft glow akin to daylight.

Looking around, one could only marvel as if the ancient and modern literature of the world had all converged here, vast as a sea of books!

Matched with the sea of books were groups of three to five people under each bookshelf. Calling them "people" might not be quite accurate, as many creatures had humanoid shapes but were not human, resembling the legendary elves, orcs, dwarves, or even tree and flower demons that had gained sentience...

Some of them wore exotic clothing, gathering in small groups, reading while their lips moved as if in discussion. Strangely, those around them could not hear the conversation, only seeing a transparent shield enveloping them along with the bookshelf.

"Whoosh~"

In a certain spot within the library, a human woman appeared out of thin air. She was of average height, fair-skinned, with dark eyes and short, ear-length dark red hair, suggesting she hailed from the Yichen Continent. Regardless of the continent or race, she was undeniably a rare and beautiful female.

The woman was clad in a deep blue robe, embroidered with wave patterns that glowed faintly. Despite her sudden appearance, those around her did not find it strange. However, she seemed quite surprised, looking around before smiling, reaching out to take a nearby book, and appearing to speak to it.

"Teacher, please help me find some books about music."

The book, with a brown leather cover, seemed to understand her words, leaving her hand to tilt back and forth twice in mid-air, mimicking a nod. Then, it floated forward at a leisurely pace.

If someone was in the book’s path, upon seeing this scene, they stepped aside in advance.

If someone had their back turned and didn’t see the book approaching, the brown leather book would accelerate upward, flying onto the person’s shoulder, opening its cover to tap lightly, as if saying, "Hey, you’re in the way."

Upon seeing this, the person would quickly step aside, and sometimes, out of politeness, would even say "Sorry" in common language.

Everyone seemed to hold a respectful attitude toward the book, just as the black-haired woman called it ’Teacher.’

This was actually the common practice among all teachers and students of Clarence Magic Academy, or rather, all mages in treating knowledge.

They sought truth and naturally respected the knowledge recorded in books, treating all books as their teachers.

On the other hand, many book enthusiasts at the academy believed that books equipped with "automatic navigation," "wear reduction," and other magical functions, maintained with one-third of the entire student body’s tuition, had, through long years and magical refinement, developed their own intelligence. This led many to respect these knowledge-providing and navigating books in the library even more than their actual teachers.

"Snap!"

After leading the woman for a while, taking many turns, the book finally arrived at a spot, opening and closing heavily before swiftly rising into the air, flying back to its original position, scraping past the book ceiling.

"This is the place."

The woman understood in her heart, surveying the surrounding bookshelves. As she intended to examine the books more closely, her gaze inadvertently fell upon a familiar-looking man.

His face was sculpted with distinct features, the chiseled face exceptionally handsome, eyes imbued with the essence of heaven and earth, pure yet unfathomable. This face, no clothing seemed to matter...

Like the woman, this was also a male who conformed to the aesthetics of all continents and races.

"Guide?"

The handsome man’s thick eyebrows mischievously arched slightly, a smile at the corner of his mouth unable to hide his joy: "What a coincidence!"

Zhao Qingge pressed her lips, not replying, but glanced at Li Peifeng beside him, then stepped forward to look around the nearby bookshelves, as if searching for someone.

"Stop looking."

Li Peifeng placed the book back on the shelf and followed behind her with a smile: "It seems like it’s just you and me at the moment."

Zhao Qingge frowned slightly, soon relaxing as she turned to Li Peifeng: "Any plans for this dream entry?"

Li Peifeng made an "ah" sound, his expression turning serious: "The plan is extensive; I might need a lifetime in the dream to explain it to you."

Zhao Qingge narrowed her eyes slightly and nodded softly: "I understand, no need to explain."

"Or, perhaps, you could slowly listen to my explanation?"

"Not necessary at all... You scoundrel, don’t touch me!!"

"Just holding hands, why such a strong reaction?"

"No way, keep your distance!"

...

"Maintain distance, everyone please keep some space."

The next morning, at the entrance of Jade District, the security office was conducting a new round of nucleic acid testing.

However, as there were about four or five testing points within the district, and the various buildings were scheduled in batches, the queue here wasn’t too long, yet it included Li Peifeng’s ’family’ from Building 2.