Shinjiro's Break in HSDXD

The next morning, a sharp knock at the door stirred him from sleep. Rising quickly, Shinjiro opened it to find Penemue standing there, impeccably dressed in her usual formal secretary attire. She exuded an air of calmness and strictness that contrasted with her striking beauty a duality Shinjiro couldn't help but notice.

"Good morning, Caldarius," she greeted, holding out a stack of papers. "Azazel sent me to deliver these agreements. They'll formalize the discussions we had yesterday and make your position here appear legitimate. Freelance work, general tasks, private matters, you know the drill. And, of course, I'm here to answer any questions you might have."

Shinjiro took the documents, scanning them carefully. The terms were straightforward, outlining his role as a contracted freelancer for the Grigori. Nothing seemed out of place typical bureaucratic procedure, wrapped up in layers of legality.

Satisfied, he signed the papers and handed them back to Penemue. "Everything looks in order."

Penemue gave a small nod, tucking the signed papers away in a neat folder which disappeared afterwards. "Wonderful. Then let's move on to the next item on the agenda. Azazel has granted you access to our Grand Library. Normally, access is restricted to higher-ranking members and researchers, but he believes it'll benefit you to explore our knowledge base. If you're willing, I can escort you there now."

Shinjiro inclined his head in agreement. "Lead the way."

Penemue guided Shinjiro through corridors he had yet to explore, each one lined with ornate sconces that emitted a soft, bluish glow. The architecture of the Grigori headquarters continued to impress him: sleek, modern elements merged seamlessly with ancient carvings, runic symbols, and decorative arches. Everywhere he looked, small details hinted at the history behind these walls.

As they walked, Penemue maintained a brisk yet unhurried pace. "The Grand Library is one of our oldest and most heavily guarded installations," she explained. "Azazel had it refurbished with modern security measures and digitized archives, but there's still something about walking among those ancient tomes and reading from a book in hand that can't be replaced."

Shinjiro considered her words. "A fusion of tradition and technology, like most of the Grigori."

Penemue's lips quirked into a half-smile. "Exactly."

They eventually arrived at a set of imposing double doors carved from dark, polished wood. Intricate runes glowed faintly around the frame. Two Fallen Angel guards stood watch, both offering polite nods as Penemue flashed her identification. Recognizing Shinjiro—no doubt briefed by Azazel—the guards respectfully stepped aside.

Stepping through the doorway, Shinjiro's gaze was immediately drawn upward to towering shelves that disappeared into the vaulted ceiling. Tall windows let in a diffuse, otherworldly light, casting the aisles in a soft glow. It was a calm yet imposing space, reminding him of both an ancient temple and a modern research lab.

Rows upon rows of books stretched into the distance, punctuated by the many fallen around high up at different shelves. Across the floor, clusters of desks and reading tables were lit by elegant lamps, each topped with a flickering crystal that cast a warm light. Shinjiro also spotted smaller, private areas lined with chalkboards or magical wards—perfect spots for more secretive studies.

A middle-aged Fallen Angel with spectacles perched on the tip of his nose approached them, wearing a simple but well-tailored robe. He had a calm demeanor and a scholarly air about him, though his wings betrayed a faint shimmer of magical wards etched into their feathers.

"Penemue," he greeted. "And you must be the newcomer Azazel told me about—Shinjiro Caldarius, yes?"

Shinjiro inclined his head in acknowledgment. "I appreciate you allowing me access."

The librarian's face lit with curiosity. "Any student of knowledge is welcome here, though we ask you treat our collection with respect." He shot a pointed look at Penemue. "And please discourage your companion from sneaking out any restricted volumes for her side projects."

Penemue held up her hands in mock surrender. "I only did that once, and it was purely in the name of academic progress."

The librarian gave a soft hum of disapproval, though the corners of his mouth twitched. Clearly, he was used to Penemue's resourceful and occasionally rule-bending approach.

With the formalities dispensed, Penemue led Shinjiro deeper into the library. The smell of aged parchment and leather bindings filled the air, mixed with a faint hint of arcane energy that pulsed beneath the surface of each shelf.

Shinjiro paused, letting his eyes drift over the spines of countless volumes. Each one represented a sliver of history, knowledge, or power. After a moment, he turned to Penemue.

"It's impressive. And extensive," he said. "No wonder Azazel values research so highly."

"He believes that information is the key to influence—sometimes more so than raw power," Penemue replied. "It's a philosophy that sets the Grigori apart. While other factions might rely on age-old traditions or pure might, we innovate. We learn and adapt."

They found a small reading alcove near a stained-glass window portraying a stylized depiction of a multi-winged angel. Penemue gestured for Shinjiro to sit at a table, then took a seat across from him, crossing one leg over the other.

"As you can see," she began, "the Grand Library covers nearly every corner of supernatural history and lore. I'd suggest starting with the basics of magical theory and faction politics, but I'm curious do you have any particular interests or goals right now? We can focus your search accordingly."

Shinjiro leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "I'm still piecing things together. My priority is still to understand this world's major power dynamics. That includes deeper knowledge of the alliances between pantheons, and the boundaries that keep everything in a tenuous balance."

"Straight to the strategic core, I see." Penemue's eyes flickered with approval. "That's wise. Knowing where the fault lines lie is the first step to navigating or exploiting them."

Turning back to the table, Penemue gestured to a short stack of neatly arranged books she'd prepared in advance. "I've taken the liberty of gathering a few volumes that might interest you. Overviews of the major pantheons, key players in each faction, and a primer on the basics of magical theory in this world. It's not exhaustive, of course, but it's a start."

Shinjiro picked one up, scanning the cover: The Power Hierarchies: A Comparative Analysis of Factions. He flipped to the contents page and gave an approving nod. "This is exactly the sort of structured reference I was hoping for."

"There's a lounge area nearby where you can read in peace," Penemue said, standing. "I'll leave you to your studies. If you have questions, you can find me here or ask any librarian for assistance. Try not to get lost in the restricted sections no matter how tempting it might be."

Penemue moved off to speak with the head librarian, allowing Shinjiro a moment to wander to a comfortable leather armchair near the stained-glass window. He set the stack of books on a side table and took a seat, letting the library's hushed atmosphere envelop him.