In The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap, players explore a colorful world filled with puzzles, secrets, and quirky characters. One of the more memorable side quests involves a character known as the Absentminded Scholar. This NPC is a minor figure in the grand scope of the game, but interacting with him is a key part of progressing through certain areas and unlocking hidden content. Whether you’re aiming for 100% completion or just enjoying the lore of Hyrule, understanding the Absentminded Scholar’s role can be incredibly rewarding. This guide will help you locate him, complete his event, and understand his purpose within the world of Minish Cap.
Who Is the Absentminded Scholar?
A Minor Character with a Memorable Role
The Absentminded Scholar is found in the Royal Hyrule Library, a multi-floor building packed with books, puzzles, and some light platforming challenges. This character is notable for his forgetful nature, which sets off a chain of events the player must resolve to progress in the game.
While he may seem unimportant at first, the scholar is part of a sequence required to gain access to a hidden room in the library. This side quest not only adds depth to the story but also highlights the game’s charming attention to detail and character design. For those pursuing every Kinstone fusion or heart piece, this encounter is worth your attention.
Where to Find the Absentminded Scholar
Location and Accessibility
The Absentminded Scholar resides on the upper floor of the Royal Hyrule Library in Hyrule Town. To reach him, you need to solve a mini puzzle that involves returning missing books to the library shelves. This task spans several locations around the map and is not immediately accessible early in the game.
You can only begin this quest after acquiring the Cane of Pacci and the ability to shrink down to Minish size. These tools are essential, as several parts of the quest involve Minish-sized pathways and interactions with books that are otherwise unreachable at full size.
Starting the Book Quest
The Problem in the Library
When you visit the Royal Hyrule Library, you’ll notice a gap on the bookshelf. This missing book prevents you from reaching the top floor in Minish form, effectively blocking your progress. Talking to the librarians reveals that three important books have been borrowed and not returned.
Here’s a list of the books you’re tasked with recovering:
- A Hyrulean Bestiary
- Legend of the Picori
- A History of Masks
Finding these books and returning them to the library is the only way to fully explore the building and meet the Absentminded Scholar in his Minish form.
Retrieving the Books
First Book: A Hyrulean Bestiary
This book is found in the house of a book-loving woman in Hyrule Town. She’s reluctant to return it, so you need to shrink down and speak to the Minish inside her house to resolve the issue. After solving a small puzzle, the book will be returned to the library.
Second Book: Legend of the Picori
This one is located in the house with the fireplace in Hyrule Town. You’ll need to light the fireplace and use it to access the chimney as Minish Link. This leads to a secret area containing the book. After navigating a few enemies and obstacles, you can recover the second book.
Third Book: A History of Masks
The third book is the most complex to obtain. It’s located in the house of the mask vendor, but it has fallen behind a bookshelf. To reach it, you’ll need to use the Cane of Pacci, some clever shrinking, and a series of well-timed jumps to recover the book. Once this final book is returned, the ladder in the library extends, granting access to the upper floor.
Meeting the Absentminded Scholar
The Minish Connection
Once the ladder to the top floor is available, shrink down to Minish size using a nearby portal and climb the bookshelf. Here, you’ll meet the Absentminded Scholar in person a tiny Minish absorbed in his research, completely unaware of the inconvenience he caused by not returning his book.
Despite his forgetful nature, the scholar provides valuable information about the history of the Picori and hints about Kinstone fusions. His presence also gives players a deeper look into the magical, scholarly side of the Minish people, who play a central role in The Minish Cap’s story.
Benefits of Completing the Quest
Access to New Areas
Helping the Absentminded Scholar isn’t just about returning books it opens up a key part of the game. Once you reach the top of the library in Minish form, you gain access to the Elder Librari, a wise Minish who provides guidance and sometimes even grants you new abilities or hints.
Additionally, finishing the book quest allows you to reach a few important treasure chests, unlock more Kinstone fusions, and check off an essential task if you’re aiming for 100% game completion.
Heart Pieces and Kinstones
Throughout this side quest, you’ll also uncover hidden heart pieces and opportunities for Kinstone fusion. These mechanics are vital for improving Link’s health and unlocking secret areas throughout Hyrule. The library and the homes connected to this quest are packed with these small but valuable rewards.
Tips and Tricks for the Scholar Quest
Don’t Skip the Cane of Pacci
Some parts of the puzzle absolutely require the Cane of Pacci to flip objects and reach higher platforms. If you’re stuck, double-check your inventory and backtrack to pick up the cane from the Cave of Flames dungeon if needed.
Use the Flame Lantern and Minish Portals
Lighting the fireplace and finding hidden Minish portals are both essential steps. Keep an eye out for objects that can be interacted with while in Minish form. Many obstacles in the scholar quest are size-specific.
Talk to Every NPC
The game often provides subtle hints through dialogue. Chat with the librarians, homeowners, and even random villagers to get clues about where the books are and how to retrieve them.
The Absentminded Scholar in The Minish Cap is a minor character who plays a surprisingly impactful role. Through a lighthearted but engaging side quest, players help restore order to the Royal Hyrule Library, meet a charming Minish researcher, and unlock vital content that enriches the game experience. Completing the scholar quest not only moves the story forward but also enhances your appreciation for the world of Zelda, with its clever puzzles and lovable cast of characters. For fans of secrets, lore, and exploration, helping the Absentminded Scholar is a must.