How To Live As A Writer In A Fantasy World

Until the very end, Ariel left a striking impression of her presence.

While Ariel herself was quite the spectacle, the reactions of others were even more dramatic.

Some people gazed at Arwen with sympathetic eyes, as if to say they completely understood, or lightly patted her shoulder.

It was a situation so absurd it was impossible not to laugh—turning one person into a villain in mere moments.

Of course, Arwen spent that entire day trapped in guilt.

It wasn’t just that Ariel had uncovered her true feelings; the very fact that she had entertained such thoughts made her feel utterly despicable.

In the end, Ariel departed with the two women back to the Minerva Empire.

She mentioned she would head straight to the dormitory to explain everything to her father and Adelia.

I can’t predict how those two will react, but they’re bound to be shocked. After all, it’s not every day you see an angel showing up out of nowhere.

In the meantime, Arwen and I could finally spend the remaining days enjoying ourselves.

Though we lost two days due to the unexpected Ariel incident, it looks like our stay will be extended.

Honestly, a week was never going to feel long enough to fully enjoy this place.

The reason for visiting Alvenheim wasn’t just to bond with Arwen, but also to explore various institutions.

Having already visited the World Tree and Elodia, our next stop was the “Sanctuary,” home to the world’s first library—a collection of every book known to exist.

Today was the day we decided to visit this sacred place.

“Wow…”

When Arwen and I arrived, I couldn’t help but gasp at the breathtaking view before us.

Libraries are meant to be silent, but the sight of the Sanctuary made me forget even that basic rule.

Soaring ceilings stretched endlessly upward, with towering bookshelves reaching to meet them.

These shelves were crammed with books, yet the musty scent often associated with libraries was absent.

Instead, the air was filled with the fragrant aroma of flowers.

If this alone wasn’t enough to earn the title of “the greatest treasure trove of knowledge,” what stood out even more were the floating bookshelves scattered throughout the Sanctuary.

Whether by magic or some other means, enormous bookshelves hovered gracefully through the space, adding to the fantastical scenery.

“If the World Tree is the gods’ blessing and gift, this Sanctuary is a prideful creation of us elves,” Arwen said with a hint of pride, leaning slightly against me.

I noticed she was relying on me to support her weight, likely still feeling the aftereffects of last night.

If I were to let go even slightly, she’d probably collapse to the floor.

Of course, staying in bed every day wasn’t an option.

Thankfully, she seemed to be adapting to the strain and could walk a bit better now.

With no one watching, this made for a perfect opportunity to enjoy a quiet date.

The fact that it was in a library was a minor drawback, but it was more than enough for me.

“How are the books organized here?”

“Basically, they’re categorized by centuries. The floating shelves up there contain ancient texts from when civilizations were just beginning.

However, since they’re written in ancient languages, they require translation.”

“Wow! And what about other topics?”

“Your favorite—history—is divided by eras and species. The books you’ve received through Sirius are just a fraction of what’s here.”

Her detailed explanation made my heart race.

Just seeing the floating bookshelves was thrilling, but the elegant designs and sheer size of the place were even more captivating.

The Sanctuary’s dimensions exceeded those of any stadium, and its pristine white decor emphasized its cleanliness.

Despite its age, no signs of wear or discoloration were visible.

Preservation magic had likely been used, which would be easy for elves who treated magic as second nature.

“Was the Sanctuary designed to be this grand from the start?”

“Yes. Given the blessings we’ve received, we elves are certain that no outside force could ever destroy us. If such an event were to occur, it would mean the end of the world.”

“Come to think of it, Alvenheim maintained its strength even during the Demon War, right?”

“Yes, but that came at the cost of immense sacrifices from humans and beastkin,” Arwen said.

Indeed, during the Demon War, humans and beastkin acted as the frontlines, while dwarves provided desperate support.

Elves also suffered losses, but humans and beastkin bore the brunt due to their rapid reproduction rates and larger populations.

Scholars often speculate that if the World Tree hadn’t emerged when it did, humanity and the beastkin might have faced extinction.

‘Still, this place feels livelier than I expected for a library.’

Although libraries are traditionally quiet, the Sanctuary seemed different.

People were scattered around, actively engaging in discussions. It seemed less like a library and more like a hall of academic exchange.

Only those authorized could enter the Sanctuary, and with its strict admission policy, the scholars here were likely some of the best.

“How do you retrieve books from the floating shelves?” I asked.

“We elves can fly up and grab them using magic. Humans like you can simply ask a scholar for assistance,” Arwen replied.

“Ah, right. Human scholars often visit here, don’t they? Do they face any discrimination?”

Despite my concerns about potential bias—especially from elves—Arwen shook her head firmly. She gestured toward a group engaged in a lively debate nearby.

Looking closer, I noticed the group included a mix of humans and elves. Their numbers were about equal, and everyone actively participated in the discussion.

“As you can see, there’s almost no discrimination when it comes to academia.

Setting foot in the Sanctuary means you’ve contributed to knowledge in a way that transcends race. Discrimination has no place here.”

“I see. Still, don’t elves have more influence? Humans have shorter lifespans, so their accumulated knowledge must pale in comparison.”

“That’s true, but humans possess something elves lack.”

“Which is?”

“Innovation.”

With that single word, everything clicked.

While elves have vast memories and long lifespans, their conservative nature often holds them back.

Humans, on the other hand, are bold and innovative, constantly seeking new challenges despite the risks.

“That spark of ingenuity has, on occasion, revolutionized entire fields of study.

Astronomy, for example, is particularly remarkable. It turns out this planet orbits the sun, not the other way around,” Arwen said.

“Wait, what?” I blinked at her in disbelief.

Her statement referenced the heliocentric model, a theory that, in my previous life, wasn’t widely accepted until the modern era.

It seemed odd that this world, with its myths and divine beings, had already embraced such advanced knowledge.

‘That doesn’t make any sense.’

In my past life, heliocentrism was only proven after the advent of Newton’s law of universal gravitation.

Yet here it was, treated as common knowledge.

And then there was the existence of the gods, representing celestial entities like the sun, moon, and earth itself.

It should logically follow that this world’s mythology supported a geocentric view.

Yet, reality seemed to defy those expectations.

The reason why people in this world could not help but firmly believe in the geocentric theory over the heliocentric theory is largely due to the existence of gods.

“Regardless, wouldn’t the church have strongly opposed it? Was there any trouble?”

“Oh, plenty. Too much, in fact. The first person who proposed it was immediately executed for blasphemy. But that human never wavered in his claims to the very end.”

“And despite that, the heliocentric… no, that theory was adopted?”

“There was an elven scholar who delved deeply into the claim. That individual, after 300 years of research, uncovered many truths. For example, why objects fall straight down even as the world spins, why we cannot perceive the rotation of the planet, and so on. Particularly, the scholar studied lunar and solar eclipses for 300 years and even calculated the distances involved. As a result, everyone came to accept it.”

What kind of eccentric elf would do such a thing? I was too dumbfounded for words, but their sheer determination deserved a thumbs-up.

The courage to pursue research despite knowing the risk of being executed for blasphemy after the first proponent was killed…

Although elves are known for their conservative mindset and stubbornness, in this case, their inherent traits seemed to work in a positive direction.

As I stood there, impressed and unable to hide my expression, a question suddenly came to mind, so I asked her.

“Then what about theology? Theology must have been upended too, right?”

“They began to separate symbolism from scientific facts. Even that scholar did not deny that gods assist mortals.”

“I imagine there must have been a lot of conflict.”

“That is why the religious and scientific communities dislike each other so much.”

It was similar yet different from the path taken in my previous life.

In times when science was lacking, people would tremble in fear, claiming the gods descended whenever lightning struck the sky.

But as science advanced and one by one these phenomena were explained scientifically, religion lost much of its influence.

This brought religion closer to its true purpose of faith.

People could believe or not believe as they chose, and unlike here, atheists were abundant in that world.

Here, however, things are different.

The religious and scientific communities will likely continue fighting until the end of time, even if the world collapses.

“In the sanctum, knowledge you might find intriguing is stored. This includes studies on how the brain controls our organs and body, as well as discoveries of invisible tiny entities that threaten our lives. There is so much that you’ll have trouble deciding where to start.”

“I’m fine with just history.”

“Hehe, that is so like you.”

At my precise response, Arwen gave a soft smile as if to say, “Of course.” I returned her smile.

In truth, I’d love to read every book in the sanctum, but realistically, that’s impossible.

This library has been maintained since the founding of Alvenheim.

So, instead of reading everything, it’s better to focus on my favorite subject—history. I can occasionally delve into other topics too.

“Will you stay with me?”

“If you wish, I can leave you to it for a bit. I, too, feel like reading a book after so long. Ah! You need not worry about any potential attacks. Magic is strictly forbidden in the sanctum, and the gaze of the gods watches over it.”

That means I can read in peace.

The sanctum’s security is likely much tighter than the magical wards set up at Halo Academy.

Moreover, the gaze of the gods signifies that violence is impossible here.

Anyone attempting it would not merely be expelled but punished by divine wrath.

Nodding at her explanation, I moved toward the section where history books were stored. It was a bit of a walk.

“Hm? Look over there. Is that…?”

“Judging by the red hair, it must be him. And with Her Majesty by his side, it’s certain.”

“Has he come to tour the sanctum?”

“Perhaps he’s here for research, as they say he’s a scholar.”

The murmurs, which had been sporadic since entering the sanctum, increased in frequency.

Arwen drew attention as Arwen, but this damned red hair of mine made me even more conspicuous.

Still, the others, likely distinguished scholars, did not dare approach me directly.

They either focused on their tasks or resumed paused discussions.

This is normal, of course.

Scholars are usually indifferent to anything outside their areas of interest.

Especially those who have achieved significant breakthroughs in their field—they are true monsters, wholly absorbed in their research.

‘I hope they don’t misunderstand or see me as some sort of research subject.’

Ignoring the gathering gazes as best I could, I continued toward the history section.

With Arwen as my dependable shield, they wouldn’t dare approach me first.

They likely also understood the purpose of my visit to Alvenheim.

This realization made me feel more at ease. For now, let’s dive into the history books.

“Whoa.”

The moment I reached the history section, a sense of awe escaped my lips. The sheer number of books was overwhelming.

Typically, history books focus on modern and contemporary events, with only brief mentions of ancient and medieval periods.

But here?

The books are meticulously categorized by era, from texts written thousands of years ago to the latest publications.

‘Incredible!’

What a magnificent repository of knowledge!

And it’s not just simple history books—they’re further subdivided into categories like races, culture, politics, society, religion, arts, and sciences.

I stood there, foolishly gaping at the towering shelves of books, before quickly regaining my composure.

Sneaking a glance at Arwen, I saw her standing proudly, her chest puffed out with satisfaction.

“Do you like it? These are books you may borrow freely.”

“Can I really take them as I please?”

“Of course. But do not forget to return them. Even if you are Zenon, the loss of knowledge is a sensitive matter for scholars.”

“That won’t happen. Still, what should I start with…”

The quantity is staggering, but the variety makes deciding where to begin a real challenge. I decided to skip books written in ancient times.

The older books are in ancient languages, making them nearly impossible to read.

Unless they’re translated, this library is full of ‘originals.’

Even if the Zenon Chronicles had a draft, it would only make sense for the first edition to be stored here.

If such a declaration were made, it could even spark a war with Helium.

‘I need to think carefully about where to store the drafts.’

This is something I must clarify to prevent unnecessary conflicts.

“Look around while I fetch a book for myself.”

“Alright.”

With that, Arwen left to find her book, and I began browsing on my own.

Starting with the most recent publications, I soon realized something surprising.

‘I’ve already read most of these.’

It turns out I’d already covered a lot of ground through the books Sirius provided. Despite the sanctum having everything, it seems I’ve already devoured much of it.

I skimmed through the latest releases before moving to older works.

‘Books on the Racial Wars…’

The most intriguing topic is undoubtedly the Racial Wars—the epitome of historical conflict and the grandest of wars.

The war’s portrayal varies depending on perspectives and races, sparking endless debates. Today, I decided to focus on the Racial Wars.

‘Not from a human perspective, though. Let’s find an elven account… Hmm?’

While searching, a particular book caught my eye. Its title seemed ordinary, but the author’s name was familiar.

[Iker Lightsinger]

Iker Lightsinger was an elven commander during the Racial Wars, imprisoned for actions deemed against ‘the law.’

Many scholars agree that if not for his imprisonment, the elves might have won or at least avoided a humiliating defeat.

The tragedy of such a hero writing a history book piqued my interest.

The title even seemed to explore the arrogance unique to elves.

‘Does this have anything to do with history?’

Curious, I decided to take a look.

Pulling the book from the shelf, I noted how pristine it was—no dust at all.

Carrying it to a nearby table, I noticed a burly elf who looked like ‘Thor’ reading quietly but chose to ignore him.

Finally, I opened the book with anticipation…

[“Damn these pointy-eared bastards. I wish they’d all just drop dead.”]

“…?”

A sentence filled with shock, horror, and intense self-loathing greeted me on the first page.

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