Do ratmen dream of the sacred tree of spirits?

Chapter 10 Library

"I feel very comfortable here. Thank you so much, I never expected to get a single room." Fafnir sincerely thanked Mr. Victor.

"Heh, it's fine, it's just sitting empty anyway," Victor said nonchalantly.

"Little Fafnir, get some rest. Say hello to Little Allen and Little Martha for me. If there's nothing else, I'll be going now. I'm going to pick up another group of students with Teacher Zerek later."

"By the way, Mr. Victor, how much is lunch? I'll pay you now."

"Haha, of course it's on me," Victor said, finding it somewhat amusing. "It's no big deal. By the way, if you have time, return these lunchboxes to the 'Old Mud Pit' tavern next to the cafeteria."

Fafnir wanted to say something more, but Victor gestured to end the conversation.

"Oh, right, Fafnir, you can go to the library and browse some books today, but your work pass hasn't been made yet, so you can't borrow any. That's all for now, goodbye!"

"Thank you, Mr. Victor, goodbye!"

After saying goodbye to Mr. Victor, Fafnir found Martha and Allen cleaning the house.

"This is lunch that Mr. Victor gave us. We are so grateful to him."

Fafner opened the cloth bag and took out two lunch boxes.

Back in his room, Fafnir opened his lunchbox, and the fresh aroma of wheat flour mixed with the smoky smell of meat wafted out.

Fafnir swallowed hard, picked up a slice of bread, and put it in his mouth.

The white bread, made entirely from wheat flour and with added salt, is soft, delicious, and has a rich wheat flavor.

This is a rare opportunity.

Fafnir didn't eat much white bread in his life; at Lorraine Manor, every time he ate white bread was a rare luxury.

After slowly chewing the bread, Fafnir picked up a piece of smoked meat. The meat looked shiny, probably from the oil that had seeped out of its surface.

Fafnir took a small bite, the smoky, salty flavor melting on his tongue.

It's probably pork, likely boneless ribs.

Fafnir sandwiches the smoked meat in bread; the soft bread absorbs the oil, making it even more delicious.

He ate slowly, savoring each bite. Such white bread and smoked meat were a delicacy he only occasionally tasted at Lorraine Manor, as were the leftover scraps from banquets.

After finishing his meal, Fafnir washed his hands and lunchbox with the remaining water in the bucket.

……

The library is located to one side of the main teaching building; it is a three-story stone building with the main entrance on the first floor open.

Fafnir went inside and smelled the musty, stale scent of paper and leather.

Behind the reception desk at the entrance sat a woman with gray hair, who was looking down and flipping through a book.

Not wanting to disturb her, Fafnir deliberately tiptoed towards the bookshelves on the first floor, intending to explore them himself first.

However, just as Fafnir was about to reach the bookshelf,

"Stop right there, what are you doing here? I've never seen you before. Are you a new student?"

The voice coming from the reception desk forced Fafnir to stop in his tracks.

Fafner saw the woman put down her book, look up and scrutinize him; her face was covered in fine wrinkles, and she was wearing a long black robe.

Fafnir approached the reception desk: "Hello, teacher. I'm a new volunteer today and I'd like to come and look at some books."

"Volunteer? Don't call me teacher, call me Sister Fanning. What kind of book are you looking for? How old are you?"

"Sister Fanning, I am seven years old... I would like to see if you have any books about history."

"Hehe, that's really strange, little one, you're only seven years old? Can you even read? Why don't you go read some fairy tale books?"

"You should be able to understand it," Fafnir said, finding it difficult to answer.

"Ha, Zero and Victor, really! These days, even ratmen can come to our grammar school library, that's quite a rare sight!"

Sister Fanning ignored Fafnir's words and muttered to herself.

The voice was not quiet, making Fafnir feel very uncomfortable.

"Go ahead, go ahead, the seventh row from the left is all history books. Keep your voice down, ask me if you need anything."

"thank you."

Fafner turned around to look for the book, but hesitated for a moment and then turned back:

"Excuse me, Sister Fanning, I have a question."

Why is it that so many people seem to be able to quickly recognize my lineage?

Fafner finally couldn't help but ask the question.

"Oh?"

Sister Fanning stared at him with her blue eyes for a few seconds:

"That's true, you don't understand anything. If you can read, go to the first bookshelf on the third floor from left to right."

After she finished speaking, she lowered her head and reopened the book.

Fafnir bowed to her.

……

"The Church of the God of Death was once widespread throughout the Holy Kingdom of the Elves, but now its influence is concentrated in only a few cities in the east..."

The Church of the God of Death's hierarchical structure, from highest to lowest, is as follows: Cardinals (First and Second Class), Bishops (First, Second, Third, and Fourth Class), Clerks (First, Second, Third, and Fourth Class), Assistant Clerks (First and Second Class)...

Generally speaking, the church hierarchy for a regional bishop is that of a first-class or second-class bishop, while the church hierarchy for a regional bishop's assistant is that of a third-class or fourth-class bishop...

The grammar school of the Church of the God of Death is a public interest institution that enrolls gifted children from impoverished families as students or volunteers…

"call--"

Fafnir held a thick book, "An Overview of the Church of the God of Death and the Holy Kingdom of the Elves," and studied it carefully.

Time flew by, and Fafnir noticed that the light coming through the stained glass windows of the library was getting dimmer. He rubbed his eyes, feeling that it was getting difficult to read, and leaned the book against the windowsill.

Not knowing when the library would close, Fafnir was a little anxious. He put the book back in its place and prepared to go to the third floor to check.

As Fafnir passed the reception desk, he saw Sister Fanning reading a book.

"You've been reading all afternoon. Staring at a book for too long is bad for your eyesight. Climb up to the ceiling and turn on the light for me. Go now."

Sister Fanning noticed Fafnir passing by.

Light the lamp? Fafnir was a little confused and paused for a moment.

"Yes, Sister Fanning."

"Okay, go ahead."

Fafnir noticed several lamps hanging from the ceiling, though he didn't know what kind they were, and also saw a long ladder used to access books high up.

Fafnir laboriously moved the ladder under the light, adjusted it several times, and then quickly climbed up.

"Well……"

What the heck? This hanging lamp looks very complicated in structure and is covered by a transparent cover. I have no idea how to operate it.

Fafnir had no idea how to proceed, so he had to climb down the long ladder.

Fafner felt a little tired.