[ WP ] Upon graduation from the University of Magic , each student is allowed to take one tome from the Arcane Library which immediately bestows all its knowledge onto the owner . You discover a tome that seems to have been overlooked .

A fight had broken out in the dark arts section. Even the library's hush charms could n't contain the cries of `` I want it'' and screaming as the necromancers tried pushing the shadow casters out of the way. Only to have blood witches climb over them both, clawing at the shelves. 
 
 Book day. An ancient rite steeped in tradition and unbreakable rules. When only new graduates were allowed access to the library. The one time of the year each magical tome revealed its secret page. The page, when read, that would let the words flow into the lucky reader. Gifting them the power and knowledge that each book held. 
 
 The downside was it was a one person per book deal. They'd recharge, the drained pages slowly re-inking themselves over the year, but only enough for one. 
 
 Over the years story's of missed opportunities and regret had turned a once tranquil browse over titles into a mad free-for-all fight to grab what you wanted or lose your chance forever. 
 
 Rachel looked down from the upper balcony. Taking aim she heaved the bound collection of'Unnatural Acts And How To Perform Them' towards Kyle Undertone. It neatly struck him on the back of the head knocking him to his knees, making him lose his grip on the book he'd been about to read. Which was quickly scooped up by Angel Pillgum as she ran past him. 
 
 It served him right. They'd had the same idea to skip the crowd packed around the main library door and try to slip in by the small entrance around the back. Only he saw her coming behind him and, unforgivably, *locked the door after him*. By the time she'd got around to the main entrance again she was one of the last to get inside. 
 
 A roll of thunder shook the building and she watched Angel, now showered in a million sparks float up from between the bookcases and into the air. Kyle, still dazed, was fumbling through the books scattered around his feet, searching for something he had n't yet noticed was gone. 
 
 Rachel was pleased she got to screw over Kyle, who had been a huge dick to everyone, but she could n't stay to gloat when she still had to find herself a book. She ran down the ransacked aisles searching in vain. The obvious books, the powerful, the well known, the notorious, they were always the first to be taken. Popular topics were next, with so many fighting over a few texts they were soon striped clean. Then it was whatever you could find. Travelling deeper into the library she kept looking for something that was right for her. But no matter where she went, someone else was there. 
 
 She found Hue holding'The Encyclopaedia of Magical Necessity' while searching the reference section. His skin displayed a rapid mix of charts, graphs and words as he absorbed it. 
 
 Augusta had got to the travel guides first and had found'Oz, Neverland And Through The Looking Glass: A Guide To Magical Lands.' And promptly vanished once she looked inside the cover. 
 
 She skipped the potion books. Julia and Ram were using them to beat each other as they fought over the slim volume they had at their feet. 
 
 Dejected Rachel slumped against the rolling steps and sighed. And promptly regretted thinking `` could it get worse'' as it rolled away from under her, leaving her sprawled on the floor. 
 
 As she lay on the old carpet her eyes ran over the spines of the nearest books. 
 
'Limbo: Dance Instructions For Ghosts' 
 
'Warts And All, A Tell All Biography Of A Witch' 
 
'High Spirits. Undead Addiction Advice' 
 
'1001 Worst Wishes' 
 
 She reached for the book of wishes. She was n't gong to choose it, just read about someone who had a worst day than her. But as she pulled it from the shelf a soft thud sounded. Another book was jammed behind the ones she could see. It must have fallen behind from a higher shelf and been hidden from sight. She pulled out a few more books to see what new pointless publication she had found. 
 
 It was smaller than she thought. Not just the thickness, maybe a hundred pages at most, but the book was only slightly larger than her hand. But rather than seeming flimsy it gave the impression of being concise. Important. *Interesting*. The soft brown leather cover was embossed with small gold lettering. She read the title. Then read it again to be sure. 
 
 It was simply called'Useful'. 
 
 Rachel opened the cover and started to read.
