Barie's Intimacy story

I want to smack all these witches who don't return their books on time over the head... with a book...

You clearly don't know witches... They never take a hit without dealing two in return.

Yeah, I should endure it, shouldn't I? I'm only a lowly librarian, after all. *Sob*

H-Huh?! Oh, I can't let that happen! I'd better use something else!

The book truck keeps breaking, what should I dooo...?

Some werebeast had scattered some books on the floor of the library, and I completely slipped on them.

Gasp! Really? You're not going to charge me for that, are youuu?

*Sob* It's a public library with a budget so tight we can barely even afford new books.

What do you usually do with the books you've read at the library, Master?

How admirable. It would be nice if all our patrons were like you.

You know, there's a reason things have their proper places. I suggest you reflect on that.

That's actually better than sticking them where they don't belong... As long as you don't leave a mountain of them.

One of our patrons at the library keeps requesting strange books, and it's really giving me a hard tiiime...

Those are actually valuable academic works! It's rare to get scholarly books from Sprite Kingdom!

The banned book list was actually abolished. The witches filed so many thesis-quality complaints that we just couldn't deal with them anymore.

Why in the world did you request a physical copy of "An Isekai Baked Goods Journey With Max-Level Baking Skills"?!

The discards! Give them all to me! Give me everything headed for the trash!

I'm going to collect a bunch of used books and open up my own bookstore. Hehehe.

What? I mean, at least they can eat the food they find... With books, I can't even do that!

I'll build my bookstore empire on all the books the world has discarded... Wow, I just heard myself there... That really sounded sad...

For the love of all that's good, please stop using highlighters in books! Erasers don't work on themmm!

Not you, too, Master! I just can't...

I would if I could catch who's doing it! They just return them and vanish!

I could use magic, but given how much text has been underlined with highlighters, it might actually be faster to just do it manually.

Why does everyone check books out instead of just using the reading areaaa?

No one goes there because it's dreary, and it stays dreary because no one goes there. It's a vicious cyyycle.

Potato chips?! While you're reading?! You use chopsticks, right? Riiight?!

To think the Master of the World Tree Order would have such a wicked thought! How terrifying!

I've heard that there's a dragon who's similar to me. How does she crush—I mean—handle delinquent borrowers?

She uses her words, huh? Yeah, since I lack physical prowess, I should work on becoming more articulate.

What?! A reference-only library? Such a genius idea!

Whatever it is, it sounds like something that would be very useful for me right nowww...

Has anyone brought a book to the Banquet Hall? Do you know what kind of book it is?

I don't care who your guest is. It's the book that's important.

They must be soft in the head... They clearly don't understand that theory and execution are two very different things—even here.

What? Aww... Is my thesis that worthless...? *Waah*

It makes me a little sad to see books that no one ever borrows.

Right, they're a means by which information is shared. It'd be nice if more witches would read them.

Master... Paper yellows and deteriorates over time, you know...

Well, because someone requested them at some point. It's not like they were born into this world unwanted.

Our library has all sorts of books. Is there anything you're looking for in particulaaar?

That sounded like you were about to request something dark and ominous... Were you being serious?

What makes you think we don't? Belita borrowed one just yesterday!

I'll set aside a copy of "Social Development for Dummies" for you... I think you'll need iiit.

I thought I'd definitely be happy once I became a certified witch... but why does it feel like nothing's chaaanged...?

Sometimes I envy her... Maybe it's easier to be happy when you're lost in a fantasy that can never come truuue...

Still... Life should get a little easier, shouldn't iiit?

I guess taking care of books does suit meee...

Hardcover editions are the best, don't you thiiink...?

Truuue... but it's not my money, it's the libraryyy's...! Hehehe...

Whaaat? How disrespectful!

You get it, Masterrr! A book's binding is just as important as its contents.

Sometimes, I don't understand why Belita approved my thesis.

You think? Being this poor really tanks my self-esteem...

You're so mean! Not that I haven't thought the same thing, though...

Are you sure it's okay? Being Master and being a librarian are two very different thiiings...

At this point, the library catching fire doesn't even feel like a big deal anymore...

Excuse me...? Yeah, I mean, I guess I did hear that they go up in flames over there fairly often...

...How else am I supposed to deal with folks using library books as kindling for campfires?

Chow? Not water? Seems like that'll just make the fire grow biggerrr...

Let's talk about something other than books!

I guess I just felt a bit pathetic talking about books even during my breaaak...

Oh, that movie is based on a short story. The way the author writes is so elegant—ah, darn it...

You don't see me as just some bookworm witch, do you...?

Do you have any recommendations for sunbae witches I could look up to as role models?

She has a great head for business and is professional. If I ever open my own bookstore, I might really need to learn how to be like thaaat...

Her Majesty? She's too perfect. It's a little intimidating...

Yes, I do envy the physical magic she uses. With that, I'd be able to bring the overdue book rate down to zero.

*Sigh*... Do I really look that pathetic? I'm a little huuurt...

Har-har-har... How's that? Betterrr?

Aww... This is all because of those delinquent borrowers!

Yeah, I suppose the other witches do always bring me things and tell me to "hang in there" when they see me workiiing...

This Banquet Hall is really bustling. Are there no rules here?

Sounds just like my libraryyy...

Even though those three werebeasts over there are trying to break down the door...?

Oh, that's right... You're part of upper management, aren't you?

If we installed one of those kiosk things the elves use... would my work-life balance improve...?

Maybe at first, but wouldn't they adapt eventually?

H-Hey, I didn't say that I wanted to be completely out of a job!

S-Sorry? No one like that exists. Isn't that a bit of an ego triiip?