Chapter 166: Light Shaping
Jake stared at it.
Then he reached out and tapped the edge with one finger.
It actually felt solid.
"...You actually made a plate."
Grace’s cheeks warmed a little, yet she puffed up her chest as if proud.
"I told you. Simple shapes are easier."
Jake looked at the glowing plate for a moment, then his eyes sharpened with interest.
"Then let’s try something harder."
Grace blinked.
"...Harder?"
Jake nodded and leaned in slightly, lowering his voice so only she could hear.
"Not another plate. Something with a clearer function."
He raised one hand and began explaining with his fingers.
"Imagine a small dagger. Not just the shape but the whole thing. A short blade, a firm grip, a guard so your hand doesn’t slide forward. The blade should be thin and sharp, but not so thin that it breaks."
Grace listened carefully, her golden eyes focused.
Jake continued.
"Don’t just picture how it looks. Picture how it should feel. The weight in your palm. The point of balance. The way the edge would cut if you swung it."
Grace’s fingers slowly curled in her lap.
"...So I have to understand the object, not just copy its appearance."
Jake smiled.
"Exactly."
Grace took a quiet breath, then lifted her hand again.
Golden light gathered in her palm, denser than before.
This time, the glow stretched longer, slowly forming a short blade... then a simple hilt... then a small guard.
The shape flickered once.
Twice.
Then it stabilized.
And a small golden dagger now rested in Grace’s hand, glowing faintly under the lobby lights.
Jake’s eyes widened a little.
"...You actually did it."
Grace stared at the dagger in surprise as well, her cheeks faintly flushed.
"I... I think I understood it better because you explained it."
Jake rubbed his chin, staring at the glowing dagger in her hand.
"...So it really is based on how well you understand the object."
Grace looked at him, still holding the small golden blade carefully.
Jake nodded to himself, more certain now.
"If you only imagine the shape, it stays unstable. But the moment you understand what the object is supposed to do like the weight, the structure, the purpose... it becomes solid."
He glanced at her.
"That means if you study more about weapon structure, you might be able to shape even stronger things later."
Grace’s golden eyes lit up.
"Study... weapon structure?"
Jake nodded.
"Blades, spears, shields, armor... and even guns. If you understand how they’re built, your Lightshaping should become much more reliable."
Grace’s fingers tightened slightly around the glowing dagger, a spark of excitement appearing in her expression.
Jake smiled at her reaction.
Then he paused, rubbing his chin again.
"...Come to think of it, is there a library in this city?"
Grace should be able to learn about many things if there is one.
Then a familiar voice suddenly came from above.
"Library? There’s one inside the guild too."
Jake leaned his head back and looked up.
Barbara was standing behind the sofa, arms loosely crossed, looking down at the two of them with a strange expression.
"...How long have you been standing there?"
Jake asked and couldn’t help but be a bit surprised that he couldn’t sense her approach.
But Barbara just smiled.
"Long enough. What are you two sneaking and whispering about?"
Jake let out a small laugh and rubbed the back of his neck, then told her everything about Grace’s newly upgraded class and how one of her skills needed a lot of knowledge.
There was no point in hiding Grace’s class since Vivian already knew, plus Barbara was someone they could trust.
Of course, he didn’t tell all the details of Grace’s skills, as that was a bit too much to share.
Barbara, who heard the details, looked very shocked at the news and looked at Grace with intensity.
Grace just smiled and shyly dropped her head at that look.
Then Barbara just smiled wryly. "I understand."
"If that’s the case, you can use the guild library. It’s not worse than the city one. And since you two are VIP guests, there won’t be any charge."
Jake’s eyes lit up at mention of free charge.
"That’s convenient."
Barbara gestured toward the east corridor with her chin.
"Come on. I’ll take you there and introduce you."
Jake exchanged a glance with Grace, then stood up from the sofa.
Grace quickly followed.
Barbara turned and began walking, her steps unhurried.
"The library is on the second floor," she said over her shoulder. "It’s quieter than the main hall, so most people don’t bother going there unless they need something specific."
Jake followed behind her, with Grace staying close at his side.
As they walked, Barbara added,
"And I’ll let the attendant know you’re allowed full access to save the trouble."
Jake nodded with a smile.
And Grace’s golden eyes brightened a little as she looked ahead.
"Thank you, Barbara."
Barbara glanced back at her and gave a small smile.
"Just make good use of it."
They followed Barbara up the stairs and down a quieter corridor until she finally stopped in front of a pair of tall wooden doors.
She pushed them open.
Jake and Grace both froze at the sight.
The guild library was far larger than they had expected.
Rows of tall shelves stretched deep into the hall, packed with books, scrolls, and bound records. Soft crystal lights glowed along the ceiling, casting a calm golden hue over the entire room.
The air smelled faintly of old paper and polished wood.
Jake’s eyes widened.
"...This is inside the guild?"
Grace stared as well, her golden eyes filled with quiet awe.
"It’s... huge."
Barbara glanced back at them and let out a small chuckle.
"I told you it wasn’t worse than the city one."
She stepped inside and gestured for them to follow.
"Come. I’ll introduce you first."
_
_
_
After Barbara gave them a short introduction to the attendant near the entrance, and the details of the library.
"That’s all. You can look around freely."
Grace’s golden eyes immediately lit up.
The moment she spotted the section marked with weapon manuals and craft records, she hurried over without hesitation.
Jake watched her go, a small smile tugging at his lips.
He was about to head toward the history section himself... as there were still far too many things he didn’t know about this world when Barbara suddenly spoke.
"By the ways, do you happen to know where a blue-haired maid named Aria?"
Jake coughed at the sudden question but he still replied calmly.
"...She should be in the underground training ground."
Barbara blinked.
Then she nodded.
"I see. Thanks for the info."
She turned and started walking out.
Just as she passed through the doorway, Jake caught her quiet murmur.
"...Hmm... That’s strange..."
And at that moment, Jake paused his step... as his instinct suddenly flared.