《Elvlin Academy》


 {Prologue}“The Pitch-Black Sky”

    Elvlin Academy


    {Prologue}��The Pitch-Black Sky��


    ***


    Like a millennium''s civilization that vanished like a dream


    Like a seeker''s dream yearning for eternity


    Like dust indifferently gathered through the ages


    Like a nameless book in an ancient study


    ***


    The ancient kingdom of Ajurat, which had nurtured a brilliant civilization, vanished from history without a trace one day, a thousand years ago. While scholars debate the cause, they agree on one point: the entire kingdom fought against something at the time.


    -From ''Northern Mixed Continent Travelogue'' by Aquinad Ruhan-


    ***


    The pitch-black sky.


    The pure white snowstorm.


    A woman, cradling a bassinet, walked precariously through the frozen forest.


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    "My child, just hold on a little longer."


    Black hair flowed from beneath her pulled-down hood. The baby in the bassinet also had black hair, black eyes, and skin as white as snow.


    "We''re here."


    The woman stopped walking and looked up at the door she had finally reached.


    On the massive door, nearly three stories tall, the following words were written in Ascalian script:


    [Elvlin Academy]


    Through the iron-barred gate, a portion of the campus grounds was visible.


    "I found it. This is the place."


    Her hands trembled as she set down the baby.


    "They will take care of you here."


    Despite the fierce snowstorm, the baby remained asleep.


    The woman wrapped her cloak around the bassinet. Then her slender body shivered in the winter night air.


    "This will be the last time I see you."


    Tears fell onto the white snow, leaving marks.


    "I wanted to watch you grow... Please grow up to be as fair as you are now."


    She struggled to stand up.


    "Goodbye, my child."


    Just as she was about to head back through the increasingly fierce snowstorm��


    "Wouldn''t it be proper to state a name?"


    How long had he been there? A tall elderly man stood right behind her without making a sound. She forced herself to calm her startled heart before answering.


    "I... I don''t have a name."


    The elderly man pointed at the bassinet.


    "Not you, that one."


    "......"


    "Does the baby not have a name either?"


    "You are..."


    "Was today the deadline he gave you? Well, no matter. We can always give a name."


    The elderly man lifted the wrapped baby from the bassinet and held it in his arms. Then he waved his hand in the air. The gate, which hadn''t budged in the fierce snowstorm, began to open as if by magic. The woman watched with complex emotions.


    "Rin! Her name is Rin!"


    The elderly man''s steps paused beyond the closing gate.


    "Rin... Very well."


    *CLANG!*


    The woman clutched the gate''s bars intensely.


    "Thank you, elder! Thank you!"


    The elderly man walked away quickly without responding.


    -To be continued-

 {1}“One dawn in March, Year 706 of the Ascalian Calendar”

    # Chapter 1- Rin of Ascalia


    {1}��One dawn in March, Year 706 of the Ascalian Calendar��


    ***


    A campfire rose in the snow-covered forest. Between the windbreaker hung on trees and luggage, a black-haired girl opened a book. She turned over the ashes whenever the firelight dimmed. After a while, an elderly professor emerged, pushing open the tent. Perhaps the firelight had woken him?


    "I''m sorry, Professor Temel. Was it too bright?"


    "Not at all. What are you reading there, Rin?"


    "The Northern Mixed Continent Travelogue."


    The girl��Rin��raised her head while closing the thick cover. As she did so, her white skin and black eyes became visible. Professor Temel heaved a deep sigh.


    "Rin. Reading by firelight will damage your eyes."


    "I was worried about waking the other professors..."


    "I doubt any of us are that sensitive."


    Professor Temel took the heavy book himself, seeing Rin struggling to lift it. This made Rin''s face flush slightly.


    "Thank you."


    "How did you even manage to carry it out here in the first place?"


    "My hands must have gotten cold from being outside. I''ll prepare breakfast while warming them up."


    "No need. Preserved food will suffice."


    Professor Temel spoke while brushing off ice crystals that had formed above his mustache.


    "No need to waste energy on breakfast. We need to travel at least 9 maards (approximately 14.5km) today to stay on schedule."


    He added with a slight smile:


    "Besides, when you cook, everyone gets too distracted eating to hold the meeting."


    "Is... is that so?"


    *RUSTLE*


    "What''s this, you old geezer!"


    The interruption came from a slightly hoarse voice. Dr. Gernshvatz, who had just emerged from his tent, spoke while adjusting the screws on his peculiar engineering goggles.


    "Why are you making our little cutie cry so early in the morning?"


    He was known as an especially eccentric figure even among the notably eccentric Engineering Department of Elvlin Academy. He spent most of his days grumbling with a disgruntled expression, testing bizarre inventions from his workshop regardless of time or place, and consequently receiving dozens of student complaints daily for the inconvenience he caused.


    "No, Doctor. When did I ever make her cry..."


    "What an unsightly excuse! Rin! Tell me everything, out with it!"


    Rin was one of the few people this eccentric character took a liking to.


    "Doctor, you''ve got it wrong."


    In the end, Rin spent about 30 minutes explaining that she hadn''t been crying and had just been having a normal conversation with Professor Temel, finally calming his agitation.


    ***


    In the middle of Ascalia''s northern snowfields. There lies a mysterious lake that never freezes throughout the year. Known as ''Yuparuru'' (Tears of Winter) in the language of the ''Snow People''��the natives near the northern limit line��this mysterious lake was the subject of a scholarly expedition organized for geological/magical research and ecological study. The members of the expedition were as follows:


    - Professor Antoine Pinetre of Elvlin Academy, who teaches history, geography, and geology.


    - Associate Professor Temel Kun, from the History Department.


    - Professor Svetrinaha, who teaches military history, map analysis, and tactics (usually shortened to Professor Sven).


    - Dr. Gernshvatz Zwelf, head professor of the Engineering Department.


    - Three Snow People tribal members serving as porters and guides��Baldu, Tun, and Kul.


    - Rin, the Elvlin Academy library clerk and church assistant administrator, who, though not an official student, was quite popular within the academy.


    This was truly a remarkable gathering. After all, excluding Professor Temel, all the professors were scholars whose names were widely known throughout the global academic community. To outsiders, it might have seemed difficult to understand why Rin, who wasn''t even an official student but merely a library employee, had joined such an impressive group.


    Rin had been left at Elvlin Academy as an infant. When she reached the age of admission, a faculty meeting was soon held. The professors who recognized both her intelligence and character hoped to enroll her in the formal education program.


    However, this plan encountered problems from the start due to the subject''s refusal��she couldn''t accept receiving special treatment. The professors, eager to proceed quickly, sought alternative means.


    The solution they devised was to have her perform work equivalent to the admission fee so she could pay it herself. However, given Elvlin Academy''s reputation as a prestigious institution, ordinary odd jobs or duties wouldn''t come close to meeting the admission fee.


    That''s how they came up with the Northern Limit Region survey mission. It was classified as a Level 2 mission, the second most dangerous on Ascalia''s academic risk classification system of five levels. This was why they included fourteen-year-old Rin as a research assistant.


    North of the northern limit line, where people were said to be unable to live. Even the Snow People''s villages were located below this point. Even in spring, the cold was dozens of times more severe than winter in most regions. A dangerous area where one blizzard could likely lead to isolation and make survival difficult.


    At its center lay the mysterious lake ''Yuparuru.'' Of course, the faculty had established safety measures for Rin. Professor Svetrinaha, true to his role teaching swordsmanship to students, possessed not only excellent martial arts skills but also comprehensive knowledge necessary for survival in remote areas.


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    And Dr. Gernshvatz, known as the academy''s greatest eccentric. While his inventions earned him the nickname ''Nuisance Incarnate,'' there was one aspect everyone acknowledged about them: their destructive power. Thus, the majority of faculty concluded that combining Professor Sven''s knowledge with Dr. Gernshvatz''s equipment would provide reasonable safety.


    *CRACKLE CRACKLE*


    The evening campfire blazed.


    The Snow People were busy tending to the reindeer that had traveled across the snowfield all day. In the bright firelight, Professor Antoine''s serious voice drifted through the air.


    "In short, it''s about geothermal energy."


    Professor Sven nodded at his words. Even as everyone nibbled on biscuits, melted snow, and jerky, Professor Antoine Pinetre''s daily lecture continued without fail.


    "As researchers, we must avoid attributing everything to magic. That convenient word has led humanity to commit countless errors in the past..."


    "Professor Pinetre. Perhaps we should end for today..."


    Professor Temel gently interrupted. This was understandable, as Professor Antoine had been talking for an hour about his hypothesis on why Yuparuru doesn''t freeze and why magic''s role should be excluded from the explanation. All this directed at Rin.


    Rin was listening intently, her obsidian-like eyes sparkling. She was a perfect student, except for the occasional rumbling from her stomach. And moved by her enthusiasm, Professor Antoine would continue his lecture with even more passion, which would make Rin''s obsidian-like eyes sparkle again... and so the cycle continued.


    Professor Temel found it heartbreaking to watch her holding a half-eaten biscuit fragment for nearly an hour.


    "It''s getting late, and we need to move early tomorrow."


    However, Professor Antoine merely nodded perfunctorily and continued his explanation. The lecture eventually continued until midnight. Even when the Snow People joined the campfire after tending to the reindeer, Professor Antoine hadn''t stopped talking.


    "*SNIFF* Excuse me, miss. Will the campfire be alright like this?"


    It was Baldu, the leader of the three Snow People due to his large build.


    "Pardon?"


    Rin responded to the question. Finally freed from the lecture, she had been listening intently to the debate that had broken out among the professors (which Professor Temel had eventually joined despite his earlier attempts to stop it).


    The Snow People, who claimed they''d never counted beyond thirty, seemed uncomfortable around the professors who were considered the most intelligent even in Ascalia, where higher learning commanded respect. When they had something to say, they usually went through Rin rather than their employer, Professor Antoine.


    "The fire''s big, which is good for the Paruka (Snow People dialect meaning ''friend,'' usually referring to reindeer) and keeps most things away... but around here, the Muwai..."


    "Muwai? Isn''t this outside their territory?"


    Rin questioned, remembering the Muwai territory map Professor Svetrinaha had shown before departure.


    Muwai.


    Also known as snow people, they rarely came down from the northern mountains, but when encountered, they were more ferocious and dangerous than any creature on earth. Fortunately or unfortunately, they were highly intelligent, forming tribes and establishing territories, and rarely ventured outside them.


    Thanks to this, after their general territory was mapped, the danger for those exploring beyond the northern limit line had greatly decreased.


    "That''s true, but there''ve been rumors lately about Muwai moving..."


    *GRUNT GRUNT*


    Just then, Rin faintly heard the reindeer''s nervous sounds. It seemed frightened. Though masked by the wind and crackling firewood, the sound reached Rin''s ears with strange clarity. She had a bad feeling.


    "Mr. Baldu."


    "Yes?"


    "The reindeer is making a sound I''ve never heard before."


    "The Paruka?"


    He tilted his head at her claim of hearing a sound he hadn''t noticed, despite living with reindeer for over twenty years. Baldu went to check while scratching his head, and was startled to find the reindeer trembling slightly.


    "Pa-Paruka?"


    Just as he was about to say something, Professor Sven''s quiet but authoritative voice rang out.


    "Shh. Quiet."


    He spoke with an expressionless face. Professor Antoine furrowed his wrinkled face.


    "Could it be Muwai?"


    Professor Sven slowly nodded. Professor Antoine frowned while stroking his white beard.


    "Did the territory map change? Rushing the preparations was a mistake."


    To match Rin''s admission timing, the faculty had forcibly moved up the expedition''s scheduled date, which was originally planned for a month later. In the process, they skipped the usual step of checking for territory changes before departure, which had now led to this serious danger. Professor Antoine bowed his head with a grave expression.


    "We were too hasty."


    Silence fell over the expedition members gathered around the campfire.


    Professor Antoine slowly took a deep breath and stood up. Rin was startled to see his face. His usually gentle, smiling expression had hardened into something frightening.


    "The associate professor and I will take the cargo sled. Baldu, please handle the packing."


    Snow Person Baldu rushed over with the reindeer, shouting:


    "Tun! Kul! Get everything down from the second one!!"


    The camp suddenly became busy. The Snow People emptied the mountain of luggage and quickly dismantled the railings that had been installed on the sleds. Professor Temel patted Rin''s head once before helping with the preparations. Strong for his age, he had no trouble with even large loads, having been physically powerful since his youth.


    While everyone was busy moving about, Professor Antoine quietly called Dr. Gernshvatz while unfolding a map.


    "Doctor. Even if the territory has changed, it probably hasn''t shifted too drastically from before. So I''ll head this way from the starting point of the southwest valley..."


    "Hmm. Then Sven and I will take this route?"


    His brow furrowed above his goggles. The sled Professor Antoine intended to take was originally for cargo and wasn''t particularly fast. The doctor immediately understood his intention.


    Regardless of how close the Muwai were, splitting up rather than all fleeing in the same direction gave a better chance of at least some surviving. Here, Professor Antoine had volunteered to be the bait. Having already resolved himself, his face had returned to its usual smile.


    "Don''t worry, Doctor. My route isn''t bad either. Once I pass through these conifers, there''s a cliff..."


    "Ngh..."


    The doctor''s eyes were conscious of Rin. She seemed concerned about the two professors having such a serious conversation, glancing their way throughout the preparations. Seeing this, Professor Antoine patted the doctor''s shoulder.


    "Then I leave Rin in your care, Doctor."


    "Ugh. Understood."


    Professor Sven and Dr. Gernshvatz boarded the smaller, more agile of the two sleds. While the doctor checked the sled, Professor Sven fed herbs from his pocket to the reindeer.


    *HISS*


    The Snow People completely extinguished the campfire. To Rin, all these preparations felt ominous. Professor Temel, who had approached without her noticing, stroked her head.


    "Rin. Listen to me carefully."


    "Yes, Professor."


    "We''re about to split into two groups. You''ll ride in that sled with the two professors. And take this with you."


    Rin held the item Professor Antoine handed her up to the lamp and asked in a trembling voice:


    "This is a map, Professor."


    "You''re quite good at reading maps."


    The professor circled a point on the map.


    "Though it''s not marked, there''s an old research facility at this point. Nothing is known about it except that its owners have been magicians for generations. But given that it''s stood there for hundreds of years, they must have some countermeasures against the Muwai. If you can just make it there..."


    Rin listened intently while biting her lower lip hard. As soon as the professor finished speaking, she said firmly:


    "I''ll take the larger sled."


    "..."


    "I''m lighter than the professors, so even with the large sled, we can move quickly."


    "Rin."


    "I''m young, so I can escape well even if I''m left alone."


    "This stubbornness isn''t like you."


    "...I don''t want the professors to disappear."


    Professor Temel, who was about to scold her, hesitated. He realized that Rin was desperately holding back tears.


    "Rin. I''m sixty this year. Professor Antoine over there is seventy-five. Dr. Gernshvatz is sixty..."


    "Fifty-nine."


    The doctor grumpily corrected the error.


    "Ah, yes. Fifty-nine. Professor Svetrinaha is the oldest at seventy-seven, and while the Snow People are younger than us, they''re still older than you. Do you understand what I''m saying?"


    "..."


    "It''s the natural order for those who have lived longer to go first."


    Professor Temel removed his gloves and wiped away Rin''s tears that had begun to fall.


    "Survive."


    Leaving Rin trembling slightly, the sled carrying Professor Antoine, Associate Professor Temel, and the Snow People departed.


    "Little cutie. We should get going too."


    As Rin, practically dragged by Dr. Gernshvatz, boarded the sled, Professor Sven immediately set it in motion. Whatever herbs he had fed them, the reindeer expelled white breath and quickly gained speed like never before.


    Rin watched the departing cargo sled with anxious eyes.


    The northern stars were pouring down their indifferent sparkle.


    It would be a long night.


    -To be continued-

 {2}“Night Chase”

    {2}��Night Chase��


    ***


    *THUD THUD THUD THUD*


    The sleigh, now unburdened of its cargo, moved incredibly fast. Professor Sven silently drove the reindeer forward. Dr. Gernshvatz Zwelf checked the map and gave directions. Though there was only starlight, whatever device was in the doctor''s goggles allowed him to read the map perfectly. Rin kept glancing back in the direction the cargo sleigh had gone. Professor Sven, noticing this, spoke up.


    "Miss Rin. Don''t think too negatively. What you''re worried about hasn''t happened yet."


    "But Professor Antoine''s sleigh..."


    She couldn''t bring herself to say the word "bait" out loud, because even though she knew it, she wanted to deny it. Dr. Gernshvatz''s eyes left the map and turned to Rin.


    "Sweetie. The situation isn''t all that bad. Antoine may seem like a romantic, but he''s got a brilliant mind. He was the continent''s greatest adventurer in his youth. Not the type to die easily."


    "But we''re dealing with Muwai..."


    "Urgh..."


    The doctor, at a loss for words, buried his face back in the map. This only made Rin''s worries grow rather than diminish.


    ***


    "The current situation isn''t entirely negative."


    At that same moment, Professor Antoine was pointing at the night sky from atop a sleigh heading in exactly the opposite direction from Rin''s.


    "This night view! The cascade of starlight! Doesn''t it feel like we''re back in our younger days? Ha ha!"


    At his laughter, Baldu, the Snow People guide driving the reindeer, glanced back at him. Professor Temel Kun let out a sigh heavy enough to create a cloud of white breath.


    "Sigh. Professor Pinetre. The current situation is absolutely negative."


    Thud thud thud thud


    Large footsteps echoed nearby. Heavy and rough, yet quick footsteps. Through the coniferous forest, glimpses of massive shadows and reflections from sharp weapons could be seen.


    "We''ve been chased by Muwai for quite some time now, haven''t we?"


    Professor Temel spoke reproachfully. But Professor Antoine continued to smile.


    "Truth be told, I was finding the stable life of a senior professor rather dull. Hmm? Please do smooth out that frown. That''s why people keep thinking you''re older than me."


    "Haaa..."


    Professor Temel let out another deep sigh.


    The reason the Muwai weren''t attacking immediately was because they preferred to hunt by driving their prey. In other words, the death of those on this cargo sleigh��Professor Temel, Professor Antoine, and the three Snow People��was practically sealed. Professor Temel had to forcefully suppress his desire to demand how Antoine could joke in such a situation.


    *FWHOOSH!*


    Suddenly, the sleigh''s speed decreased. The reindeer whinnied and gradually slowed their pace.


    "What''s wrong?"


    To Professor Temel''s question, Baldu replied.


    "This is as far as we go. No point in continuing."


    "..."


    He pulled the reins to bring the sleigh to a complete stop. And no one on the sleigh blamed him for this action. The Muwai had been steadily herding them in one direction, which meant there were likely other Muwai lying in ambush somewhere ahead. There was no point in continuing to run.


    "Baldu, my boy. I''m sorry."


    Professor Antoine said. Baldu shook his head.


    "No need. Our village lives well thanks to the Academy folk. We''re grateful."


    Massive Muwai approached the now-stationary sleigh. Seeing them coming from the front as well confirmed their earlier suspicions. They had been surrounded from the start.


    Professor Antoine turned away from the approaching Muwai to look at Baldu. He patted both of his shoulders. Next, he patted the shoulders of the other two Snow People��Tun and Kul��in turn. Finally, he bowed his head to Professor Temel.


    "This seems to be as far as we go, Temel. All these years, first as my assistant in your youth, then as an associate professor in your maturity, I''ve put you through so much trouble, and now I''ve gotten you mixed up in this mess at the end. I''m ashamed."


    His voice had grown somber. Professor Temel, who had expected anger, instead grabbed Professor Antoine''s hand with a smile.


    "Not at all. Thinking about it again, I realize the situation isn''t entirely negative."


    "Ah. So you had the same thought."


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    "Of course. At least we saved one new student who''ll be enrolling this year, didn''t we? Haha."


    "Indeed. Hoho."


    The Muwai were now right in front of them. Though ordinary people might have their legs give out or scream in such a situation, no one present did either. Their composed attitude even seemed to confuse the Muwai.


    "Professor Temel."


    Professor Antoine, who had been momentarily solemn in the face of death, returned to his smiling self as if nothing had happened.


    "Before we die, wouldn''t it be interesting to study just how intelligent the Muwai are?"


    "Haha. Professor, really."


    "Why not? It''s not a bad idea. Let''s try initiating dialogue. Like this."


    Professor Antoine stepped down from the sleigh and walked proudly toward the Muwai. Then he called out in a booming voice.


    "Hello there!"


    At this sudden and strange action, the Muwai looked at each other. Judging by their exchange of glances, they seemed to be communicating something. Professor Antoine shrugged his shoulders at Professor Temel.


    "It seems expecting a vocal language communication system might be too much to hope for. Hoho."


    Suddenly, a deep, low voice rang out.


    "Do not underestimate us, human."


    At this, Professor Antoine froze mid-shrug, while Professor Temel and the three Snow People''s eyes grew wide. The voice had clearly come from a Muwai. And in perfectly fluent common tongue, no less.


    "I am Walopayi. Trafalgas."


    He had an even more massive build than the other Muwai. Professor Antoine felt sweat on his forehead despite the cold temperature that turned breath to mist.


    "Well... Though I''m quite confused at the moment, it''s nice to meet you, Walopayi Trafalgas. I am Professor Antoine Pinetre, who teaches history at Elvlin Academy."


    Professor Antoine managed to maintain his courtesy and composure even in this surprising moment. Or perhaps his politeness to a monster was itself a sign of his confusion.


    "Pardon me, but is Trafalgas your family name? Or is it Walopayi?"


    The large Muwai��Trafalgas��let out a short snort. Though it was dark and hard to see, Professor Antoine was certain he had smiled.


    "Strange human. Are you not afraid?"


    Professor Antoine thought for a moment before responding.


    "Whether I''m afraid or not, what will happen will happen. No point in giving in to fear first, is there? Hoho."


    At these words, Trafalgas snorted again and raised one hand. All the other Muwai immediately either slung their weapons across their backs or sheathed them.


    "I heard professors just sit and look at paper. But you seem like a warrior."


    He too lowered the blade of his large sword.


    "Walopayi is a title given to the eight strongest warriors among the Muwai."


    "Ah, I see! Professor Temel! Did you record that?"


    "Ah! I''m writing it down now!"


    Professor Temel smiled awkwardly. Having descended from the sleigh, he somewhat nervously greeted Trafalgas.


    "Pl-pleased to meet you, Mr. Trafalgas. I am Temel Kun, Associate Professor of History at Elvlin Academy."


    Trafalgas nodded.


    "So there are five of you in total?"


    Professor Antoine tilted his head at this strange question.


    "No. There are three more."


    "What?"


    Trafalgas suddenly raised his sword. Professor Temel flinched at the movement. But Professor Antoine alone remained unperturbed and calmly asked:


    "Why the sudden change? Is something wrong?"


    "I am currently pursuing a criminal of my kind."


    "A criminal?"


    At the professor''s query, Trafalgas trembled with rage, gripping his sword tightly and grinding his teeth.


    "His name is Gapo-er. He has killed twenty-four of our kind, and over a hundred humans."


    "What?"


    Professor Antoine was thoroughly shocked. From the moment he learned they could communicate with the Muwai, the professor had naturally assumed Rin would be safe as well. To suddenly hear this��how could he not be shocked? Rather than all of them being safe, it seemed only they were safe while Rin was in danger.


    "The criminal avoided us and went after easier prey. Do you know where those three went?"


    "I''ll guide you. Baldu, my boy! Start the sleigh!"


    "Yes! Hyah!"


    Professor Antoine and Professor Temel quickly climbed back onto the now-moving sleigh. Trafalgas and his fellow Muwai followed behind. Professor Antoine clasped his hands and muttered.


    "Rin. You must be safe.��


    ***


    *THUD THUD THUD THUD*


    "Eek! Where did that thing suddenly come from? Where was it hiding all this time..."


    While Dr. Gernshvatz kept grumbling non-stop, the sleigh was running at full speed. Professor Sven whipped the reindeer harder, pushing for more speed. Rin was facing directly at the massive Muwai that had suddenly appeared and was now chasing their sleigh. Even while driving, Professor Sven worried about Rin.


    "Nothing to fear, Miss Rin. This sleigh is faster than a Muwai, and that fellow seems to be alone without companions."


    "I''m not scared, Professor."


    Contrary to the professor''s concern, Rin was actually smiling.


    "This means the people on the cargo sleigh should be safe now."


    At this, Dr. Gernshvatz suddenly shouted.


    "What? Then what about us? Are our lives just spares?"


    "It''s fine. This sleigh is faster than the Muwai, right?"


    "What does speed matter? Do you know how persistent Muwai are? They have monstrous stamina as much as they''re persistent... Ah! Well, they are monsters!"


    The doctor rummaged through his pockets and pulled out something square about the size of his palm.


    "That one''s dangerous! Not without something like this!"


    Rin stared intently at the object the doctor had produced.


    "What is that, Doctor?"


    "Fireworks."


    "Fireworks?"


    Rin asked, tilting her head.


    *RUSTLE*


    Without any explanation, the doctor kneaded the ''fireworks'' and skillfully shaped it into a disc. Then he inserted a short fuse and lit it with the flint hanging from his neck.


    "Gasp!"


    Rin''s shoulders hunched as soon as she saw the fuse, immediately understanding its purpose. Dr. Gernshvatz shrugged his shoulders once.


    "Don''t be scared. It''s just something I made for the summer festival."


    He threw the fireworks with all his might toward the pursuing Muwai. If he could just hit it in the face, even mere fireworks could do significant damage.


    *WHOOSH*


    However, the Muwai dodged the fireworks with movements surprisingly quick for its size. Rin spoke disappointedly.


    "It dodged it."


    But the doctor puffed up his chest proudly.


    "Hmm? That should be within range though?"


    "What?"


    *BOOM!*


    Suddenly the ground shook. Simultaneously, a deafening sound struck their ears as a fearsome pressure wave of snow engulfed the sleigh. Professor Sven, who had been focusing solely on driving without knowing anything else, was startled.


    "Gah! What in the..."


    The impact of the ''fireworks'' sent the sleigh, reindeer, and everyone aboard flying through the air.


    "Doctor! Was this your doing?"


    "Kyaa! Doctor!"


    "Strange! It wasn''t this powerful in the calculations!"


    *WHOOOOSH*


    The white snow that filled not only their vision but all the surrounding air made it difficult even to breathe.


    *THUMP!*


    In the chaos, Rin''s group crashed into the snow along with the sleigh. If the surroundings hadn''t been completely covered in snow, none of them would have survived. With their heads still ringing, no one was concerned about what had happened to the Muwai.


    "Cough! Is, is everyone alright?"


    Professor Sven, who regained his senses first, checked on his companions. Two voices immediately responded.


    "Ouch ouch. I''m okay, Professor. But the reindeer and the sleigh..."


    "Strange? A design error? Or did I make a mistake in the mixture? Come to think of it, I might have been a bit drowsy..."


    "Thank goodness you''re both safe."


    *GROWL*


    The sound from behind made all three of them stiffen.


    "..."


    When they turned around, they saw the Muwai getting up near where the explosion had occurred, blood running down its thigh. Professor Svetrinaha broke into a cold sweat at the enraged sound.


    "Unfortunately, it seems there''s one more who''s safe."


    -To be continued-

 {3}“The Persistent Pursuer”

    {3}��The Persistent Pursuer��


    ***


    The night sky above the Northern Limit Line was particularly full of stars. However, there were three people running desperately for their lives, with no time to appreciate the beautiful sky.


    "Professor! Got any more bombs?"


    At Professor Svetrinaha''s question, Dr. Gernshvatz replied curtly.


    "They''re fireworks, not bombs!"


    "Whatever they are, got anything else similarly dangerous?"


    "Hmph!"


    *RUSTLE*


    The doctor searched his pockets and pulled out another strange object. Looking worriedly at the black, crackling box, Rin asked.


    "What''s that, Professor?"


    Instead of explaining, the doctor aimed the object directly behind them.


    *WHOOSH!*


    Suddenly, a flash of light burst from the box, and simultaneously, the pursuing Muwai screamed.


    "Kuakh!"


    "Haha! Success!"


    It stopped running and clutched its knee.


    *SIZZLE*


    Whatever it was, it seemed to have been exposed to intense heat, as smoke seeped between its fingers. It looked like it wouldn''t be able to run for a while.


    "Phew!"


    "Huff! Haak!"


    The three people, who had been running out of breath, took this opportunity to catch their breaths. The doctor threw away the now extremely hot black box without hesitation and said.


    "Single-use distress signal."


    "...A distress signal, that thing just now?"


    "If you focus light into a single point, it doesn''t spread and travels far! Then rescue teams can find us by seeing it!"


    "But what if someone gets hit by this and dies before that?"


    "Hmm. Didn''t think of that."


    "Kuooooh!"


    The Muwai roared from a distance. At this more thunderous sound than before, Professor Sven said.


    "Tsk. Seems we''ve angered it too much."


    Looking back, they could see the Muwai charging with a completely different intensity than before. The three forgot about their labored breathing and started running again.


    ***


    They ran like that all night. The enraged Muwai couldn''t catch up to them immediately because it had injured the same leg twice from Dr. Gernshvatz''s "fireworks" and "single-use distress signal."


    Thanks to that, they could somehow maintain their distance even at the slow pace of a young girl and two elderly men. However, their stamina had long since reached its limit.


    And time had passed into dawn.


    The countless stars began disappearing one by one, and the sky was gradually brightening. In fact, it was already a miracle they had run this long with their stamina.


    "Huff! Huff! Ahhh! I can''t go on!"


    Dr. Gernshvatz, who had been repeatedly falling behind for quite some time, said breathlessly. He stopped completely and collapsed onto the ground. This forced Rin and Professor Sven to stop as well.


    "Can''t go! Won''t go!"


    As the doctor lay down flat, Rin pulled at him.


    "Doctor! If you do this here, you''ll die!"


    "Ah, don''t care! Leave me behind!"


    He shook off Rin''s hand and stubbornly refused. Professor Sven scolded him.


    "My good man! What are you doing? Get up quickly!"


    "Just leave me behind, Professor S! I can''t run anymore!"


    "Doctor, please!"


    Even Rin''s earnest plea was useless. Then suddenly, they felt a tremor in the ground and heard a monstrous sound.


    It was the sound of the Muwai charging (with its limping leg), having seen the group stop. Shock grew in Rin''s eyes. Professor Sven removed one glove and opened his hood, then drew the sword he had been hiding on his back.


    "If only I were ten years younger..."


    Just as the Muwai reached right behind the three people.


    "Professor S! Move!"


    Dr. Gernshvatz pushed Professor Sven away forcefully. Then he jumped up from his spot and stretched his hand toward the Muwai in front of him.


    *CRACKLE!*


    "Kraaagh!"


    The Muwai that had its thigh grabbed screamed.


    Black smoke rose from the doctor''s hand, accompanied by a buzzing sound like a swarm of bees, and sparked like lightning.


    *THUD!*


    The Muwai''s massive body fell helplessly backward. Where the doctor''s hand had grabbed its thigh, everything - from the leather clothes to the skin - was burned black. With its limbs splayed out and tongue hanging, Professor Sven said in astonishment.


    "Good heavens! Doctor! Was this your plan from the start?"


    "Aish! Running was too tiring!"


    "Professor, this is..."


    Looking at the Muwai, which now even smelled like grilled meat, Rin asked. The doctor took off his smoking glove, threw it away, and lay back down.


    This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    "Surprise handshake glove."


    "D-Doctor, were you planning to shake hands with someone wearing something like this?"


    "Don''t worry. It''s single-use."


    "No, that''s not the issue..."


    "Anyway."


    Professor Sven lowered his sword tip and said.


    "Seems well resolved."


    "Yes."


    Rin felt greatly relieved at having overcome the crisis.


    "What now? We still need to find the other professors and the Snow People, right?"


    Professor Sven answered while helping Dr. Gernshvatz up.


    "We just took different routes, but our destination is the same. If we go to that old research facility, we can meet... Watch out!"


    Suddenly, Professor Svetrinaha pushed the doctor away. The professor defended against something by holding his sword flat against his shoulder. Simultaneously, there was a ''clang'' sound, and the professor''s body was lifted into the air.


    "Kyaah! Professor!"


    Rin screamed. Professor Sven rolled through the snow after being thrown back several maard.


    "I''m fine! Quickly, get away!"


    What had thrown him was none other than the Muwai.


    "Not dead?"


    Dr. Gernshvatz stepped back hesitantly.


    The Muwai, clearly in considerable pain from its blackened leg, distorted its already frightening face grotesquely as it glared at the group. When it raised its weapon again, Professor Sven rushed back quickly. However, the Muwai''s strike toward Dr. Gernshvatz was faster than his arrival.


    *CLANG!*


    "Wuek?"


    As if the sound wasn''t what it had expected, the Muwai''s body briefly stiffened.


    "Ow ow ow. You monster!"


    Dr. Gernshvatz was holding a shield as big as his back - where it came from was anyone''s guess. It seemed he had blocked the previous attack with it too.


    "Doctor... what is that?"


    "A shield."


    "No, I know that, but..."


    *CLANG!*


    "Ahhh stop hitting, you cursed thing!"


    The doctor screamed at another struck blow. While the ''shield'' was somehow undamaged by the Muwai''s sword, the problem was the person holding it. The doctor felt intense pain in his waist and knees from just two blocks.


    "Over here!"


    Before the Muwai could make its third attack, Professor Sven quickly pulled the doctor and Rin away.


    *BOOM!*


    The missed strike buried deep into the snow and ground. The Muwai, seemingly more enraged, let out a monstrous cry while roughly pulling out its sword. Then it approached, dragging its limping leg. The leg seemed barely able to support its weight now. Because of this, while it had become incomparably more violent than before, its approach was far from smooth.


    *WHOOSH!*


    However, a Muwai was still a Muwai. Even with one leg damaged, there was no loss of strength in the hand wielding the sword. And once again, Professor Sven barely managed to pull the doctor and Rin away to dodge the attack.


    "At this age, it''s hard to fight while protecting others! This won''t do! I''ll buy time, so Doctor, take Rin and go first!"


    "No! Let''s go together, Professor!"


    "Let''s go!"


    Dr. Gernshvatz forcibly pulled Rin, who was refusing. She was surprised at how much weaker than usual the doctor''s arm felt.


    "Doctor, what''s wrong?"


    "Ugh... I think I pulled my back. Go on alone!"


    *CLANG!*


    At the sound of clashing metal, both looked at Professor Sven.


    Surprisingly, the professor was engaging in close combat with the Muwai using just one sword. Having already experienced what happens when blocking head-on, his intense focus on the fight was evident even from a distance, with eyes wide open and every nerve on edge.


    "I can''t fight for long! Run quickly, Miss Rin!"


    Then Dr. Gernshvatz grabbed Rin''s shoulder.


    "Please listen, sweetie! Let us old folks do something worthwhile!"


    "..."


    He spread his arms wide to hug Rin tightly, then suddenly pushed her away. Then he adjusted his grip on the shield and joined the professor who was in the midst of fighting.


    "Didn''t you hear me say to go too?"


    At Professor Sven''s criticism, the doctor snorted.


    "Hmph! When have I ever properly listened to you, Professor S?"


    "Heheh. Well..."


    *CLANG!*


    The Muwai''s next strike was blocked by the doctor''s shield.


    "I''ll handle defense. Professor S, attack freely. Then maybe we''ll have a chance?"


    "Not sure."


    Professor Sven quickly checked behind with a side glance.


    ...


    Rin was nowhere to be seen. The doctor also looked back briefly and said.


    "I convinced her to go. For once she listened."


    "Well, that''s one less worry, then."


    Though the situation was desperate, both men''s expressions looked relieved.


    *CLANG!*


    "Hyah!"


    In the process of defending and attacking, the two elderly professors'' bodies quickly showed strain. However, they had no internal worries, having protected Rin.


    The exchange didn''t last even ten rounds. The doctor could no longer hold up his shield, and the professor, after swinging his sword about twenty times, was shaking severely in both hands and legs. The Muwai raised its sword triumphantly while dragging its limping leg. Seeing this, Professor Sven spoke as if resigned.


    "Actually, I quite enjoyed seeing your inventions all this time."


    "What? You''re the first to praise them so nicely? Then let me show you one last interesting..."


    Dr. Gernshvatz, searching his pockets, tilted his head.


    "Huh? Where did it go? It was definitely here..."


    "Hey! You monster!"


    Suddenly, a young girl''s sharp voice rang out. It came from behind the Muwai.


    "Miss Rin? Why did you come back?"


    Professor Sven called out hopelessly.


    "Ah! That''s?"


    The doctor showed more interest in what Rin was holding.


    "That''s my ''portable launcher''! When did you steal..."


    "That''s not important right now, Doctor!"


    "O-oh? Right? S-sorry."


    The Muwai didn''t even glance at the small girl who had suddenly returned and was shouting loudly. It seemed completely consumed by revenge for its disabled leg.


    "Over here, you monster!"


    Taking advantage of the Muwai''s distraction, Rin threw something. No, more precisely, she ''launched'' it. She was using the doctor''s invention. The Muwai looked at Rin, surprised by the unexpected pain.


    *THWACK!*


    The second attack hit precisely on its injured knee.


    "Over here, you monster!"


    Her skirt was full of stones as she shouted angrily. Only then did the two professors understand why Rin had returned. And what she planned to do. Rin had never intended to run away from the start.


    When the doctor gave her that final hug, Rin had discovered his last invention hidden in his clothes and secretly took it. And she immediately understood its purpose.


    That cylindrical ''portable launcher'' was a tool designed to launch anything of suitable size far away using an internal spring mechanism. So she had gone to find suitable objects to shoot. Though she had gathered these stones, they probably couldn''t do significant damage to the Muwai. But they could certainly make it angry.


    "No, sweetie!"


    "Don''t do this, Miss Rin! Run away!"


    *THWACK!*


    Another stone shot by Rin hit the Muwai''s wound.


    Very precisely in the exact same spot as before. Rin''s eyes widened in surprise at discovering a talent she didn''t know she had.


    *KRAAAH!*


    Finally, the Muwai roared and turned toward Rin. It seemed thoroughly enraged. However, Rin didn''t cower and persistently launched stones. And amazingly, she continued to demonstrate the feat of hitting the same spot every time.


    "Try to catch me, you monster!"


    There was a hint of awkwardness in her voice as she provoked the Muwai. But it was already enough to anger the Muwai.


    *THUD! THUD! THUD! THUD!*


    The Muwai started running, forcefully stamping the ground with its injured leg. Rin felt something was wrong.


    "Huh? Oh no?"


    At that speed, faster than expected, Rin broke into a cold sweat as she got up. And just before running away, she shot one more stone while she still could.


    *THWACK!*


    Rin''s final action was more than enough to direct all of the Muwai''s anger toward her.


    "..."


    "..."


    Professor Svetrinaha and Dr. Gernshvatz watched her brave action with aching hearts. Though they desperately wanted to stop her, their bodies wouldn''t cooperate. Right now, the two professors'' stamina was barely enough to stand.


    "No! Sweetie!"


    "Miss Rin..."


    They desperately chased after Rin and the Muwai disappearing into the dawn mist, but lost sight of them after a short distance.


    ***


    *THWACK!*


    The last stone Rin had brought flew and hit the Muwai''s forehead.


    "Huff! Huff!"


    Rin''s breathing had become noticeably rough after running such a long distance. When she finally crested the hill with her last bit of strength, an unexpectedly open space appeared.


    *WHOOSH*


    Until now, she had been running only through narrow paths in the coniferous forest. Thanks to that, the large-bodied Muwai naturally fell behind, and Rin was able to maintain that distance.


    ''This is bad.''


    Rin looked back anxiously. Even with an injured leg, a Muwai was still a Muwai. She wasn''t confident she could shake it off in this wide open area. But the Muwai was too close to turn back to the coniferous area now.


    ''Ugh! No choice!''


    She descended the slope with her legs feeling like they would cramp. Though she thought it would be a bit easier going downhill, it wasn''t. Contrary to when her legs were fine, the strain on her legs was worse on the descent.


    *WHOOSH!*


    Rin hunched her shoulders at another gust of wind.


    ''Cold.''


    Despite her body being heated from running such a long distance, she felt the cold intensely and clearly.


    ''Is it because it''s open ground? It''s strangely cold.''


    It was too dark to guess how wide this area was. She felt utterly lost about how much further she needed to run to escape this place. Then, far beyond the ridge, she saw the sky glowing brightly.


    ''It''s morning already.''


    As rays of light rose over the ridge, the edge of the sun became visible. The sun quickly swept away the mountain''s massive shadow and illuminated Rin as she ran. The ridge''s shadow passed over Rin and rapidly receded in the direction she was running. As this happened, the open ground before Rin was bathed in light, revealing its massive form.


    "This is..."


    Two skies were reflected in Rin''s eyes. One above, and one below. At the boundary between the brilliantly dawning sky catching the morning sunlight and the mirror-like reflected sky on the ground, Rin had no choice but to stop.


    And forgetting even that she was being chased, she murmured absent-mindedly.


    "Yuparuru."


    -To be continued-

 {4}“Yuparuru”

    {4}��Yuparuru��


    ***


    Tears of Winter. Mirror of Fantasy.


    A legendary lake that has remained unfrozen for thousands of years, holding the sorrow of the snow spirit.


    "......"


    The crystal-clear, still surface perfectly reflected the sky above like an immense mirror. Rin couldn''t help but shed tears at the mystical and majestic sight.


    *GRRRR*


    The moment was broken by an angry growl from behind.


    "Ah!"


    The Muwai had somehow caught up, right behind her. It had transformed all the pain from its injured leg into pure rage. As Rin stepped backward, she realized in despair that even that was no longer possible. What she had believed to be open ground was entirely covered by the waters of Yuparuru.


    Whoosh


    The Muwai smugly twirled its blade, showing off. Its attitude suggested it wasn''t planning on giving her a quick death. Backed into such a desperate situation, Rin felt like clutching at straws.


    ''Should I jump into the water? No. In this weather... No. But still, better than being brutally killed by the Muwai...''


    Her eyes naturally drifted from the Muwai to Yuparuru. Though she didn''t know why the lake never froze, she would surely freeze to death if she entered the water in this weather.


    And running along the shore wouldn''t work either��the Muwai was much faster.


    With these thoughts, Rin took a step forward. Her frozen legs slowly began to move toward the lake. At first, she felt nothing. The Snow People''s clothing she wore prevented the water from seeping in.


    But that didn''t last long. Soon, the ice-cold water invaded through the gaps in her clothes.


    She could hear her teeth chattering. This was beyond what could be simply described as "cold."


    Every place the water touched felt like it was being cut by knives. Tears welled up in her eyes, only to freeze into droplets on her cheeks.


    *GRRRR*


    The Muwai''s fierce growl no longer frightened the current Rin. When she slowly looked back, the Muwai was indeed right behind her. However, for some reason, it didn''t attack immediately.


    It seemed to be extremely wary of the lake''s edge that rippled gently.


    *WHOOSH!*


    It swung its blade but didn''t reach her at all.


    Rin had already waded in deep enough for the water to reach her waist. The Muwai howled in frustration.


    Why was it so wary of the lake? Because it was cold? That made no sense. While getting wet in winter was dangerous, that only applied to humans. For large northern species like the Muwai, it shouldn''t matter at all.


    "Heh."


    Rin let out a hollow laugh. Her lower body was already completely numb from the cold. In her hazy consciousness, the pain had disappeared, replaced by a false sense of comfort and floating thoughts. Only the knowledge that she would soon die lingered in her mind. Without realizing it, she clasped her hands together and closed her eyes.


    "Are you going to pray?"


    "?"


    A sudden human voice stopped Rin in her tracks. It was a very young, unbroken voice.


    "Over here."


    Rin turned around in surprise. A white boy was staring intently at her from right beside her. He appeared no older than 10, with snow-white skin and hair, and eyes as clear and blue as Yuparuru. Wearing a white silk robe, he was dazzlingly bright all over.


    "Who... who are you...?"


    "Why are you trying to enter the lake?"


    The white boy answered her question with another question. Rin, who was about to explain, suddenly remembered this wasn''t the time for casual conversation. The cold had even made it difficult to speak properly.


    "I''m... being chased..."


    The boy looked in the direction she pointed. There stood the Muwai, clutching its blackened knee, holding up its sword and glaring at them. Upon seeing the creature''s fierce blade, the boy spoke.


    "The lake does not welcome your rotting corpse."


    The Muwai seemed taken aback by the sudden appearance of the white boy, apparently hesitating to attack. And Rin momentarily forgot the cold due to the boy''s cold attitude.


    "So you''re saying I should just die?"


    "Yes. Better to die by that blade."


    "......"


    His apparent disregard for life made Rin angry.


    She stormed forward defiantly. The boy hurriedly reached out and grabbed her.


    "Wait! What are you doing?"


    "Let go! I''m just going to drown myself!"


    In her anger, she didn''t even know what she was saying. The boy considered her words for a moment, then calmly stated:


    "Fine. Shall I deal with that thing then?"


    "What?"


    The white boy released Rin''s hand and fearlessly strode toward the Muwai. To the puzzled Muwai, the boy spoke arrogantly with his arms crossed:


    "As the master of this lake, I warn you. Return to where you came from, creature of the snow."


    "......"


    The Muwai''s forehead creased deeply at the boy''s words. Rin was quietly surprised at its seemingly complex expression.


    ''What''s this? It''s as if it actually understands human speech.''


    The boy solemnly warned the snorting Muwai once more.


    This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    "Go back. If not, I will force you to retu��"


    Before the boy could finish speaking, the Muwai''s sudden attack came down on him.


    "Watch out!"


    Rin quickly tried to save him, but when the young man strongly pushed her away, she ended up falling instead.


    "Eek!"


    *SPLASH!*


    Something heavy fell to the ground, making it shake. It was the sword the Muwai had been holding.


    "What...?"


    Rin blankly stared up at the unexpectedly disarmed Muwai. The Muwai was equally surprised. Rather than grasping its sword, it anxiously felt its suddenly immobile right arm.


    The white boy watched this dispassionately.


    "That''s the price for ignoring my warning."


    The next moment, something unbelievable happened.


    As the boy''s gaze slowly traced the Muwai''s arm, cracks began appearing, breaking it into tiny pieces.


    The arm''s skin, muscles, bones, and even blood all separated into crystalline ice fragments that decorated the air.


    Then the white boy crossed his arms again and said:


    "Next will be your head."


    At that emotionless threat, the Muwai ran away without looking back.


    Where it had fled, only its frozen left hand and countless fragments that had once formed its forearm remained scattered about.


    ***


    The Snow People, who had been internally uncomfortable with the Muwais joining them, had now calmed down somewhat. Professor Antoine''s group returned to where the survey team had originally split up. They intended to track the sled marks left by Rin''s group from there.


    However, upon arrival, they found chaotic footprints, gouges, and what appeared to be explosion marks. The reindeer and sled had been abandoned in a corner. Seeing this ominous scene, Professor Antoine spoke with a voice full of concern.


    "Looks like there was a battle here. And the sled''s been abandoned."


    Trafalgas approached and bent his large frame to examine the tracks.


    "Two of your companions fought with the criminal. One warrior. The other... a magician?"


    As he tilted his head in confusion, Professor Temel spoke up.


    "If you mean the marks on the ground, those would be Dr. Gernshvatz''s work."


    "Doctor? What''s that? Some kind of magician?"


    To his question, Professor Antoine nodded.


    "Specifically, he''s a doctor of engineering... but... you could say... he''s similar to a magician. Especially in Dr. Gernshvatz''s case."


    They mounted the sled again. The Muwai showed no signs of fatigue as they ran alongside the reindeer pulling the sled. Professor Antoine remained frowning with worry. The scene they had witnessed earlier kept bothering him. He called out to Trafalgas, who was running alongside the sled:


    "Trafalgas! Can you make any deductions from those tracks?"


    Trafalgas answered. Even while running, his voice showed no sign of being out of breath.


    "Deductions? What''s that?"


    Though his common tongue was fluent, he probably hadn''t learned such academic expressions. Professor Antoine quickly realized his mistake and corrected himself:


    "I mean, can you tell what happened there!"


    "Yes."


    Everyone on the sled listened intently to his words.


    "The criminal chased three humans. Then one human shot the criminal with magic. The criminal injured his leg but still attacked. The human with the sword fought the criminal. And the smallest human left first."


    Professor Antoine grabbed Professor Temel''s shoulder.


    "That must be Rin!"


    "Yes! Thankfully she escaped first!"


    But Trafalgas shook his head.


    "No. The criminal immediately followed the small human."


    Professor Antoine was shocked.


    "What? Why?"


    Trafalgas had been examining the footprints while speaking the entire time.


    "The small human kept turning back while running. Must have shot something or cursed to make the criminal angry."


    Professor Antoine and Professor Temel nodded at each other.


    "The child sacrificed herself."


    "It seems so. That''s exactly like her, though I doubt she cursed."


    Just then, urgent calls came from the bushes behind them.


    "Wait! Stop!"


    "Professor Antoine! Wait for us!"


    It was Dr. Gernshvatz and Professor Sven.


    "Whoa whoa!"


    Baldu the Snow Person quickly pulled the reins to stop the sled. Despite their hurried approach, the two professors hesitated to come closer when they saw the Muwai near the sled.


    "We''ll explain, just get on first."


    Professor Temel forcibly helped them onto the sled. The two professors kept glancing nervously at the Muwai group standing casually beside them.


    "Heeyah!"


    As the sled started moving again, Professor Antoine was most worried about Rin''s safety, but he thought it more important to first explain the situation to the two frightened professors. So he briefly explained how the Muwai had joined them. The two professors, who had been troubled by the criminal Muwai until now, were simply amazed.


    "So where''s Rin?"


    At Professor Antoine''s question, the two professors'' faces grew gloomy.


    "We''ve been following the tracks as well."


    Professor Sven said.


    "But with our pace, we could never catch up to Rin running ahead. The only comfort was seeing both Rin''s and the Muwai''s footprints together consistently. It meant she hadn''t been caught yet. It seems the doctor''s disabling of one of its legs was effective."


    Dr. Gernshvatz tried to hide it, but he was clearly crying.


    "Poor sweetheart. Is she still running in this cold..."


    ***


    After running for a while, they came to a large hill. Rin and the Muwai''s footprints led straight to it. Professor Temel asked Baldu the Snow Person:


    "What''s beyond that hill?"


    "Yuparuru is past there."


    The professors all focused on the hill. This was actually the original purpose of their survey team coming here. Combined with the uncertainty of Rin''s fate, the professors'' feelings grew more complex.


    "Whoa whoa!"


    The group dismounted from the sled, and the Snow People remained in place. They decided not to use the sled as the hill''s slope was too steep.


    That was fine. However, the problem was the professors'' average age. Their uphill walking speed was even worse than crawling on flat ground. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, Trafalgas ordered the other Muwai to each carry a professor on their back, solving the problem.


    "Ooh!"


    "Aah!"


    Thanks to the Muwai''s incredible strength, the professors quickly reached the top of the hill and were amazed by Yuparuru''s majesty that overwhelmed their eyes. About halfway down the slope, they spotted Rin standing alone by the lakeshore.


    "Rin!"


    "You''re safe!"


    "Sweetheart!"


    "Miss Rin!"


    The professors called out joyfully. Forgetting their age, they jumped off the Muwai''s backs like children and ran to the lake.


    "Uh..."


    However, instead of showing happiness, Rin hesitated when she saw the Muwai who had come with them. Seeing this, Professor Antoine laughed heartily.


    "Ha ha. Let me introduce you. This is Walopayi Trafalgas of the Muwai. The Muwai that was chasing you was apparently a criminal of their tribe. Trafalgas came to catch that criminal."


    "Greetings. I am Trafalgas."


    "Oh, hello? I''m Rin."


    What followed was exactly like the others'' reactions. Initial tension, immediate bewilderment, and after understanding, surprise and admiration.


    "By the way..."


    Professor Sven spoke while looking at the ice fragments scattered by the lakeshore.


    "How did you survive? And where is that criminal?"


    "That''s..."


    Rin explained about the white boy who had saved her. However, trying to explain something she herself didn''t understand made her explanation quite jumbled.


    "Hmm."


    Professor Antoine showed particular interest.


    "So where did this boy go now, Rin?"


    "He... disappeared."


    "Hm? Disappeared? Right before your eyes?"


    Rin shook her head.


    "I was talking with him and briefly looked at the lake... when I noticed it had gotten quiet, he was gone."


    "That''s hard to believe."


    "It''s true!"


    "No, no, what I mean is... there have only been a handful of magicians in history who could do something like this just by looking. That''s why I''m so amazed."


    Professor Antoine casually picked up the left hand, the most intact piece among the scattered ice fragments.


    "Trafalgas. Do you happen to know who might have done this?"


    Trafalgas pointed first to Yuparuru and then to the ridge beyond it.


    "The master of the lake."


    "The master... of the lake?"


    Professor Antoine''s eyes sparkled with curiosity.


    "You mean... Yuparuru has a master?"


    "Old story. I don''t know much. Just heard there''s a magician living at the top of the mountain across the lake."


    "Oh! Temel! Did you record that just now? That rumor might be true!"


    Professor Temel smirked.


    "Too troublesome to write... but I remembered it."


    "Since we''re here, shouldn''t we continue our investigation of Yuparuru? Maybe even about this magician who''s supposedly the lake''s master..."


    Professor Antoine made the suggestion while climbing onto the sled. However, Professor Temel firmly refused.


    "I''m sorry, but we must end the investigation here, Professor Pinetree."


    Despite his excitement, Professor Antoine had to keep quiet when he saw the cold faces of Professor Temel and the other professors, the frightened expressions of the Snow People, and most decisively, the state of Rin who had collapsed asleep on the sled.


    "...but as soon as we get back, I''m going to apply for research funding on this."


    With that wistful final comment, this research survey came to an end. On their return journey, they had the reliable escort of Walopayi Trafalgas. Thanks to this, they could skip the detour they had taken to avoid the Muwai, allowing them to leave the Northern Limit region more quickly and safely than when they had come.


    ***


    On the train back to the academy. The professors smiled contentedly as they watched Rin''s face as she remained asleep, leaning against the compartment seat. As they entered the safe zone, Professor Temel spoke up.


    "With this, we''ve successfully added one more student to this year''s enrollment list."


    Professor Svetrinaha (Sven) continued:


    "Indeed. The male students will probably be even more excited than we are. I hear the Swordsmanship Department is already planning to start a fan club after hearing that the ''Library Fairy'' is enrolling as an academic research scholarship student."


    "Hahaha."


    -To be continued-

 {5}“Library Fairy”

    {5}��Library Fairy��


    ***


    "Dear new students!"


    The morning of April''s first day had dawned. As hundreds of new students watched, Antoine Pinetre, Head Professor of History and Geology at Elvlin Academy, began his welcoming speech from the podium.


    "Is there anything more thrilling and exciting than a new beginning? Throughout my life, I''ve explored many regions and conducted various research projects. Looking back, what I remember most vividly are the moments when I started something new."


    Most of the new students were young children, and they gradually lost interest in the professor''s lengthening speech. Instead, they chose to either look around or sit stiffly, lost in their own thoughts.


    "...Looking back, beginnings were always joyful. However, it''s often difficult to recognize that joy in the moment. What a shame."


    Rin listened intently to Professor Antoine''s words, paying no attention to the chattering new students right beside her. Her cheeks were slightly flushed. The academy she had known for fourteen years appeared entirely new to her eyes, because she had finally become what she had always wanted to be��an ''official student.''


    Elvlin Academy sprawled across its vast grounds like a city unto itself. While outsiders and employees could move freely within its grounds, only students and faculty had unrestricted access to all facilities. Working as a library clerk, Rin had always envied the students.


    Having lived without any family connections, she owned very few clothes, and even the uniforms that students wore daily were objects of her admiration. The uniform she wore now at the entrance ceremony was slightly too big for her, obtained by Professor Temel who had tracked down a graduate. Though the sleeves nearly covered her hands, to Rin it was a precious and beautiful new garment.


    "...Many say that to achieve your goals, you must endure and persevere through the present. But students! Whatever your goals may be, living like you''re dead inside will only make you forget your original objectives. What''s important is everything that came before, and before that, and even before that��and right now! This moment of beginning!"


    Rin kept nodding at Professor Antoine''s words. Then she felt someone poking her. It was the girl sitting right next to her.


    A pretty student with long red hair, long limbs, a sharp nose, and large green eyes. Judging by her perfectly fitted uniform and straight posture, she seemed to be from a highly distinguished family. She turned to Rin with a broad smile and extended her hand.


    "Nice to meet you. I''m Calia."


    Rin smiled back and took her hand.


    "Nice to meet you. I''m Rin."


    "Are you a fan of that professor too?"


    "Pardon?"


    Rin''s eyes widened at the unexpected question.


    "You were the only one listening intently while everyone else was distracted. Actually, I''m a fan of his too."


    "Oh, really?"


    "Of course! Antoine Pinetre. Anyone who knows anything knows he''s the King of Adventure!"


    This reminded Rin that the many professors she regularly greeted were all renowned figures across the continent.


    "Yes, that''s right."


    Having found someone who shared her interests, the two quickly became friends. Several people around them cast glances at the two chattering students.


    Though their gazes created an odd atmosphere as they shifted between Rin and Calia, Rin remained completely oblivious to this fact. She continued occasionally exchanging words with Calia while listening attentively to the speech echoing from the podium. The former ''King of Adventure,'' Professor Antoine, steadfastly continued his speech despite the restless murmuring of the new students.


    "...Therefore, what I want to implore you is to cherish this present moment. So that someday in the distant future, today''s scene will shine more beautifully and more joyfully in your memories, savor this moment fully! Every moment in life is both a beginning and a process. Even now, something new is beginning here with you and this academy. If something has sprouted within you during this beginning, from now on, we will help nurture that sprout together. From the bottom of my heart, from the bottom of my heart, welcome everyone! Thank you!"


    When the speech ended, Rin and Calia stood up simultaneously to applaud. This sparked a chain reaction, and other new students began standing and applauding as well. Soon the hall was filled with thunderous applause. Professor Antoine seemed slightly surprised, tilting his head as he descended from the podium.


    The one who congratulated him as he returned to the professors'' seats was an elderly man wrapped in a large cloak with a monocle on his face.


    "That was an excellent speech, Professor Antoine."


    "Thank you, Headmaster."


    The person he shook hands with was none other than Elvlin himself. The owner of Elvlin Academy, considered the most prestigious institution in Northern Ascalia. Except for days like today, he rarely showed himself and was an unfamiliar figure even to the professors, though he maintained a particularly close relationship with Professor Antoine.


    Other professors also praised Antoine''s passionate speech. During this, when Doctor Gernshvatz, who seemed especially moved today, started saying "Such a wonderful day can''t go without fireworks. Now where did I put my ''explosives''..." while searching his pockets, the entire professors'' section froze in tension. Fortunately, Professor Sven, who had been monitoring him from nearby, quickly resolved the situation by efficiently choking the doctor into unconsciousness.


    Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    Thanks to this, the welcome ceremony concluded without any incidents, and the new students, unaware of what danger they had been exposed to, happily chatted as they left the hall.


    ***


    First day of the semester. Rin woke up earlier than usual. After grooming herself, she put on her uniform first. Then she stood before the full-length mirror. Her mouth was full of smiles. Though the clothes were a bit big, that didn''t matter at all.


    She packed a small notebook and two pens before leaving her room. The room was located at the top of the library.


    Elvlin Academy''s library was a large cylindrical building. Above its highest floor''s domed ceiling, an enormous tree protruded.


    It was so large that the shadow of its widely spread branches and leaves could cover the entire library building. The library''s book storage cylinder was four stories high, and including the dome structure on top, it reached nearly six to seven stories in height.


    The collection numbered 46,000 volumes. The ancient tree penetrating through the center (known among students as "Grandfather Tree"), the spiral structure between floors surrounding it, and the vast bookshelves covering the walls were unique features of this library. Though the dome itself had no windows, morning sunlight filtered through the ceiling''s opening and the gaps in the massive tree trunk.


    The interior featured circular balconies that wrapped around the ancient tree, and Rin''s room sat like a small cabin at the very top. She had lived here and started working as a library clerk around the age of ten. This was why the existing academy students had come to call her the "Library Fairy."


    "Hmm hmhm."


    She found herself humming. Her steps down the stairs were lighter than ever, and the numerous books and lamps on the walls, along with the majestic trunk of "Grandfather Tree" penetrating through the library''s center, looked more impressive than usual today.


    As Rin opened the library''s main door and looked to the side, there lay a grayish-white dog the size of a bull��or perhaps even larger��sleeping.


    Rin bent slightly at the waist and greeted cheerfully.


    "Good morning, Baron!"


    *...*


    The animal called Baron opened just one eye to look at Rin. With her smile reaching her ears, Rin did a light twirl.


    "Starting today, I''m a student, Baron!"


    Baron blinked his one open eye in response.


    "Well then, I''m off to my first class!"


    Baron blinked once more before returning to sleep, and Rin left the library with steps that seemed ready to take flight.


    ***


    "From now on, for one semester, you will..."


    The new students gathered in the plaza at the center of the academy grounds to hear about their upcoming classes. Typically, schools in the northern region operated on a three-semester system with spring, summer, and fall terms, followed by a long winter break. This was due to the region''s characteristically long and severe winters.


    However, Elvlin Academy ignored this convention and operated on a two-semester system, which was said to follow the headmaster''s principle of "not yielding to environmental conditions."


    New students would take common core courses for the first four months of their first semester. This was mandatory with no alternatives, allowing students to experience introductory courses in various fields during this period. At the end of their first year, they would decide their major field, at which point they would take an entrance test for their desired area.


    This served as a replacement for year-end exams. Everyone tilted their heads at this first-year curriculum, since most already had fields they wanted to pursue. However, when anyone asked about it, they were simply told it was policy.


    "Oh? Rin!"


    At the familiar voice, Rin turned her head. She saw a red-haired girl waving from afar.


    "Calia!"


    After the briefing ended and all new students were moving to their next location, the two girls had somehow managed to find each other among hundreds of people.


    "Did you sleep well, Rin?"


    "Yes, I slept wonderfully. How about you?"


    "I spent forever looking for you at the girls'' dormitory yesterday. Where is your room anyway?"


    "Um... in the library."


    "What?"


    "I''ll explain later."


    The new students moved to the location where they would take their common core classes. Before reaching the building, which was quite far from the main gate, they first encountered a fountain.


    In the center of the ornate fountain, decorated with various symbols and scripts, stood a statue of Lord Merlen, a historical figure renowned as a hero of the last great war and a legendary archmage.


    He was depicted in his youth, wearing the distinctive flowing robes of House Hardien, holding a book emblazoned with an owl spreading its wings. The white marble statue, standing twenty vatts tall, was truly magnificent.


    "I don''t get it."


    "Get what?"


    As Rin tilted her head, Calia frowned slightly and crossed her arms.


    "The common core courses. Starting with learning everything first? Wouldn''t it be better to begin with our desired fields?"


    Rin smiled lightly in response.


    "The great merchant Jabes Dane Isaiah once said, ''People don''t know what they want until you show them what''s available.''"


    "Hmm... that makes sense?"


    "And the biographer Aquinad Ruhan said this."


    Rin pointed to the headstone placed in front of the fountain. There, inscribed in Ascalian script, were these words:


    [Merlen said, "There are no worthless people in this world. Live, learn, and challenge yourself, and you will eventually find it." And we know. That he discovered the highest value. That he constantly honed himself. He ultimately became great. -Excerpted from Aquinad Ruhan''s Biography of Merlen]


    "Isn''t it amazing? Aquinad Ruhan wrote many books analyzing and documenting the lives of historical figures. He said that talent isn''t something you''re born with, but something you discover."


    Rin''s eyes sparkled as she spoke. Calia smiled awkwardly in response.


    "You must read a lot of books?"


    "Yes. Living in the library..."


    "Oh, right! What did you mean about the library being your home? You said you''d explain?"


    Rin explained how she came to live in the library. She briefly described being abandoned at the academy as a baby, being found and raised by the faculty, later working as a library clerk to earn her keep, and naturally obtaining her room at the top of the library. Though she related it all matter-of-factly and briefly, Calia''s response was,


    "*SOB* *SOB* Waaah..."


    Pure emotion. She buried her tear-streaked face in Rin''s shoulder and cried so pitifully that Rin found herself patting Calia like a mother would.


    "Don''t cry, Calia."


    "But... but..."


    "There, there, good girl."


    Calia''s crying was drowned out by the murmuring of students. Everyone''s attention was focused on the fountain. Calia, who had absently followed their gazes, was startled.


    "Rin! What''s this..."


    *CLICK CLICK*


    The numerous symbols arranged on the fountain were moving. While everyone was amazed by the sight of stone carvings moving smoothly, Rin remained unfazed.


    "Oh, this? It operates like this twice a day. Water will start spraying soon."


    All the new students watched in awe as the carvings moved precisely, changing their arrangement. Calia grabbed Rin''s hand and smiled brightly.


    "Water will come out? That must be so pretty..."


    *WHOOSH!*


    Right then, water spurted from the center. Specifically, from the top of Merlen''s statue''s head.


    "..."


    The bizarre sight looked as if blood was gushing from his head. Calia and countless other new students were left speechless. Except for one person. Excluding Rin.


    "Ah! It''s such a magnificent sight no matter how many times I see it! Hm? Calia. Why are you so quiet?"


    "..."


    -To be continued-

 {6}“Celebrity”

    {6}��Celebrity��


    ***


    The next day continued with introductions to the student club activities. Unlike the previous lecture introductions, today''s event was organized with each club having their own booth, which new students could visit and explore. Walking through the event space together, Rin and Calia found their eyes widening at the various attractions at each booth.


    In fact, this was all related to the issue of club budget allocation. While club budgets were distributed based on their activities, the additional funding based on membership numbers was significantly larger. This was why clubs competed so fiercely to recruit new members at the beginning of each semester.


    "Oh, it''s overwhelming."


    "Yes. Indeed."


    Rin nodded in response to Calia''s comment.


    "Isn''t this a sight you see every year?"


    "This is my first time attending. It''s only open to students."


    "Ah, right... I forgot..."


    Each booth featured various solicitation tactics. Some used flashy costumes and improvised performances, while others employed nearly deafening vocals, all desperate to stop passing freshmen in their tracks.


    "Come on over to the Drama Club with its rich history and tradition!"


    "Delicious food! Experience the world''s greatest pleasure with our Culinary Club!"


    "Astrology observes the movements and changes of celestial bodies to read our destiny..."


    "Look at these magnificent muscles! Muscles are the ultimate beauty! Hey, you there! Come hear what I have to say!"


    Some booths were so off-putting at first glance that whenever Rin and Calia passed them, they would tightly hold hands and hunch their shoulders as they walked by.


    "Rin. Have you thought about which club to join?"


    "Not yet. What about you, Calia?"


    "No. But... definitely not the Muscle Club."


    "Hehe."


    *THUMP THUMP*


    Just then, a group of strapping young men approached the two girls.


    "We''ve been waiting for you, Lady Rin."


    The young man who greeted them was tall with handsome features and blonde hair. Anyone would consider him attractive, and his voice was equally pleasing, causing Calia''s face to turn slightly red. However, Rin, whose name had been called, did not look pleased.


    "Oh, hello Mr. Haderian?"


    Calia sensed reluctance in Rin''s tone. But she could only remain silent after hearing what the young man��Haderian��said next.


    "Your voice is beautiful as always, Lady Rin. Like a bird''s chirping."


    "Ah... yes..."


    The other young men behind Haderian chimed in one after another.


    "Like the flowing of a stream."


    "Like sunlight seeping through."


    "Like a heavenly performance."


    "Ah... yes... thank... you. As always."


    Rin responded with a smile that anyone could see was forced. Calia, meanwhile, had frozen stiff from the sheer absurdity of it all.


    "Rin? Did you just say ''as always''...?"


    "What brings you here today?"


    Calia stared at Rin''s face. She was surprised by Rin''s somewhat cold attitude toward these people, though after hearing the previous conversation, she understood why.


    "Actually, we''ve created a new club to commemorate Lady Rin''s formal enrollment."


    "You created a club... because of my enrollment?"


    Rin''s voice was filled with anxiety.


    "Yes. So we''ve come to ask for your permission."


    Coming from a perfectly handsome young man, the words seemed all the more ridiculous to Calia. Though Rin appeared troubled, Calia was starting to find the unfolding events amusing.


    "P-permission? What kind of... club did you create...?"


    As Rin grew increasingly defensive, Haderian puffed out his chest with an even larger and more exaggerated gesture.


    "We are!"


    Then the young men behind him followed with incomprehensible declarations:


    "Protecting Lady Rin!"


    "Revering Lady Rin!"


    "For Lady Rin!"


    "By Lady Rin!"


    "Lady Rin''s Guardian Knights!"


    Then Haderian shouted:


    "We are!"


    Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    As he drew the long sword strapped to his back with a flourish, the other young men also drew their swords.


    *CHING!*


    They brought their sword tips together to form a single point and shouted in unison:


    "The Lily of the Valley Knights!"


    "Oh... how embarrassing..."


    Rin lowered her head, looking like she wanted to run away, while Calia expressed her ironic admiration with "What an amazing name!" Haderian gave a slight nod, and the young man at the outer edge who had been joining swords hurriedly pulled something out. It was a tiara��a crown-shaped hair ornament adorned with jewels and pearls.


    "Here! Please accept this crown and bless the establishment of our knightly order!"


    Rin felt extremely burdened and uncomfortable, wondering how students could afford to create such a luxurious ornament.


    "I... I don''t want to."


    She expressed her opinion in a tiny voice. Haderian then smiled (in a way that would seem charming to someone seeing him for the first time) to reassure her.


    "Haha. Lady Rin. You seem to misunderstand. We only wish to protect you..."


    "It''s fine, I... I don''t need protection."


    Speaking in an even smaller voice, Rin''s face had now become almost tearful. Seeing this, Calia, who had been enjoying the situation until moments ago, suddenly felt sorry for Rin.


    So she grabbed Rin''s hand and whispered quietly:


    "Rin. Let''s escape."


    "What? But how...?"


    "Like this!"


    Calia suddenly took out a hand mirror from her pocket and flashed it across the young men''s eyes. The midday sunlight shot directly into their eyes.


    "Gah!"


    "What the!"


    "Let''s go!"


    Taking advantage of the distraction, Calia pulled Rin away.


    "Yes!"


    Rin''s face brightened as she firmly held Calia''s hand.


    "Ah! Lady Rin!"


    "Where are you going?"


    Rumble rumble


    Having noticed Rin''s escape(?), the "Lily of the Valley Knights" members all began pursuing at once.


    "This way!"


    Calia led them to an area crowded with freshmen. She calculated that two slender individuals would navigate through much more easily than those bulky young men. But this was a miscalculation.


    "What''s with them? Why are they so fast?"


    Calia looked back in shock. She was astonished to witness their incredible movement that didn''t slow down at all even while passing through crowds.


    "Those people are elite members of the Swordsmanship Department."


    Rin said with a bitter smile.


    "What? Why would such people waste their lives like... never mind. Let''s just focus on escaping..."


    Calia pulled Rin''s hand more firmly, afraid of losing her.


    "This is no joke!"


    The young men had already approached right behind them. Just as they were about to resign themselves to being caught,


    "Over here!"


    A unfamiliar voice called from right beside them. Simultaneously, someone''s hand pulled at Calia. Naturally, Rin was dragged along, and the two girls were guided somewhere through the bustling crowd without knowing what was happening.


    "Duck your heads!"


    Only then could they see their helper.


    He was a nimble-looking young man of average height with short brown hair and light green eyes. He pressed down on his flat cap and gestured with his finger for them to be quiet. Could they really hide just by doing this? With those ridiculous knights right next to them? But that doubt soon disappeared.


    "Where did they go?"


    "Damn it!"


    The area was so crowded that this simple action was enough to avoid the sight of the "Lily of the Valley Knights" with their above-average height. They came right up next to them but failed to notice Rin and Calia who were ducking below waist level. Having lost their composure after losing sight of their targets, they wandered around for a while before disappearing in another direction.


    "Whew. Talk about running into some scary friends..."


    The young man, speaking as if catching his breath, suddenly stiffened when he saw Rin''s face.


    "Huh? Aren''t you the Library Fairy?"


    Rin nodded slightly, looking a bit embarrassed.


    "That is my nickname."


    "Wow! Meeting a celebrity right before my eyes! You enrolled this year, right? Congratulations!"


    "Hey."


    Calia tapped the excited young man''s shoulder.


    "Thanks for helping us, but we don''t know who you are."


    "Oh!"


    He chuckled and slapped his forehead.


    "Nice to meet you. My name is Ned. I''m in my second year."


    Calia opened her mouth with a slightly perplexed expression.


    "I''m..."


    "I know."


    "...You know? Me?"


    "Yes. You''re Calia Lux, aren''t you?"


    Calia quickly covered Ned''s mouth and dragged him to a less crowded corner.


    "You! How do you know my family name?"


    Ned quietly pointed to Calia''s hand with his finger.


    "Oh."


    As Calia hastily removed her hand, Ned gulped in air.


    "Phew! I almost suffocated! You weren''t trying to kill me, were you?"


    "Ah. Sorry."


    Calia made a perfunctory apology and grabbed Rin''s shoulders.


    "Rin! Don''t tell anyone about this! Understand?"


    Lux? I''ve heard of the Lux family somewhere.


    "Ah!"


    Rin remembered the one family that came to mind.


    "Calia, are you the daughter of the Holy Knights'' Commander?"


    "Sigh..."


    Calia let out a long sigh. In contrast, Rin smiled lightly.


    "Don''t worry, Calia. I''m not the type to spread rumors."


    Ned chimed in as well.


    "Me neither. I make my living on trust, you know."


    His smile was warm and friendly, completely opposite to Haderian''s earlier. Calia nodded with a fresh smile.


    "Ah, I see? Hahaha."


    "Hahaha."


    "Hahaha... then you spill it too."


    "Hahaha... what?"


    Ned was quite taken aback by her tone, which contrasted with her gentle expression.


    "W-what should I spill?"


    "My information isn''t easily uncovered, you know? My father was careful before I enrolled. Tell me the truth. Who are you?"


    "Um... how should I put it?"


    Ned broke out in a cold sweat. It seemed something in Calia''s words had struck a chord.


    "Obviously equal information. Since my parents have been revealed, it would be fair if you told me who your parents are, right?"


    "What if I refuse?"


    WHOOSH!


    Suddenly, something snake-like shot out from Calia''s waist. It struck directly at Ned''s face. Ned instantly tilted his head to the side to dodge, and the snake-like object hit the wall he was leaning against. Ned broke out in a cold sweat as he watched brick fragments fall over his shoulder.


    The identity of the object that partially destroyed the wall before returning was a whip. Seeing Calia twirling the whip while loosening her wrist, Ned seemed to freeze like a mouse before a cat.


    "I-I''m sorry. Please forgive me just this once."


    Ned became extremely polite and submissive.


    "But please don''t tell anyone who I am either! Really!"


    Calia responded as gently as possible to his desperate voice.


    "Stop stalling and confess now."


    "G-Gillien."


    One of Calia''s eyebrows raised.


    "Hm? What? Are you sure?"


    "Ned... Ned Gillien. Nice to meet you. Hehe."


    He seemed to be checking if anyone else was listening.


    ''Gillien? Is that a famous family?''


    Rin had to ponder once again. However, unlike the Lux family, she had no memory of hearing about the Gillien house. If Calia hadn''t kindly added an explanation, she might never have known.


    "So... you''re the son of the Head of the Laurenta Thieves'' Guild, is that right?"


    "Gasp!"


    Rin unintentionally covered her own mouth to prevent herself from shouting.


    It sent chills down her spine. To summarize, before her eyes stood the daughter of the Commander of the Holy Knights��one of the three major powers in the hegemonic nation of Sian, known as the "Master of the World"��and the son of the Head of the largest thieves'' guild in the Northern Continent, which operates openly despite the robust security of the military state of Valserun.


    Both, despite lacking official titles, essentially wielded power equivalent to princes and princesses of ordinary kingdoms. The more Rin thought about this incredible fact, she could only let out an empty laugh. Ned, however, merely shrugged his shoulders.


    "Well, I''m not the heir, and I have countless siblings I''ve never even met..."


    "Really? How many siblings do you have?"


    "Let''s see... all together, no less than fifty, I''d say?"


    "Wow!"


    Ned awkwardly smiled at Rin, who was genuinely impressed.


    "Most people would be disgusted when hearing this. Haha."


    This time, Calia was surprised.


    "What? You didn''t know Rin before?"


    Ned scratched his head. His tone had returned to the comfortable manner from before.


    "I don''t go to the library much... today''s the first time I''ve actually talked to the Library Fairy. Haha."


    "There''s nothing to brag about in not reading books."


    "..."


    "..."


    The atmosphere became awkward momentarily due to Rin''s unexpected seriousness. As the flustered Ned could only blink, Rin smiled brightly and said:


    "But thanks to you, I survived. Thank you."


    A smile like snow melting. Though it was a case of giving trouble and then solving it, somehow it was impossible to be angry.


    "Uh... don''t mention it."


    -To be continued-

 {7}“The Dinner”

    {7}��The Dinner��


    ***


    Finally, Rin and Calia left the event venue with Ned''s guidance. According to him, a second-year student this year, club selection wasn''t mandatory, and one could apply to join at any time, not just as a freshman.


    That meant there was no need to decide on a club today.


    And everyone agreed that escaping from the search net of the "Lily of the Valley Knights" was the top priority now.


    The group wandered through crowded areas just in case, then slipped away through a less conspicuous path. Only after reaching a road far from the event venue could they finally catch their breath. Rin gave a slight bow to the two people beside her. This was a common greeting in the Republic of Ascalia.


    "Calia. And Senior Ned. Thank you for helping me today. I''d like to treat you to dinner, if that''s alright?"


    The two looked at each other at Rin''s suggestion. Though unexpected, neither minded, and the three naturally headed toward the library.


    Elvlin Academy''s grounds were very extensive. After walking for about 10 minutes along a forest path from the event venue near the outdoor amphitheater, they could see the giant Grandfather Tree emerging through the green dome in the distance. This was evidence that they were nearly at the library. And when they reached the library entrance, Calia was horrified.


    "Ah! W-what is that?"


    Calia was the only one who looked terrified. Meanwhile, Rin walked toward where Calia''s finger was pointing and politely bowed.


    "Baron. I''m back."


    Ned also showed his respect casually.


    "Baron. It''s been a while. You remember me, right?"


    A large, or rather, enormous wolf that could only be described as gigantic. Both Rin and Ned were greeting this monstrous wolf, bigger even than the white winter wolves said to live in the northern mountains, as if it were the most natural thing. In this absurd situation, only Calia was left out.


    "Rin! W-what on earth is...(At this point, Baron''s eyes, who had been lying down, turned toward Calia.) No, I''m sorry! I mean, this person? I mean..."


    Rin slightly frowned at her incoherent response.


    "Calia. What are you trying to say?"


    "I mean! Such a thing... No! Why is such a person here? Why is it here?"


    Calia had barked out loud, but her body was trembling as she hid tightly behind Ned. Ned scratched his head awkwardly. Seeing this, Rin tilted her head for a moment, then responded with a smile.


    "Ah! I forgot to introduce you. Calia, this is Baron, who normally serves as the library security. Baron, this is Calia..."


    "C-can I just go back now?"


    *RUSTLE*


    At Calia''s words, Baron, who had been lying quietly until now, suddenly stood up. Two eyes gleaming brightly looked down from a height much taller than an adult man.


    "Kyaaak! I''m sorryyy!"


    Ned patted the trembling Calia who had jumped in fright.


    "You shouldn''t interrupt during introductions. Baron is known to eat... ah, excuse me. Baron really dislikes people with bad manners."


    "Y-you were about to say he eats them, weren''t you? Right?"


    "Did I say that?"


    "You did!"


    Meanwhile, Rin finished introducing Calia, and strangely enough, after hearing the complete introduction, Baron lay down again.


    Calia was so focused on Baron that she didn''t even know how she was walking. Hunched over and clinging to Ned''s back, she looked like someone with broken limbs.


    Finally passing through the entrance and closing the door, her legs gave way as the tension released, and she collapsed.


    "Aaaah, I''m alive!"


    Rin chuckled at the sight of her completely weakened legs.


    "Oh Calia. Baron is a good monster, so you can relax."


    "That means... it really is a monster, isn''t it?"


    "Did I say that?"


    "You just did!"


    "Surely not."


    Calia sighed deeply at Rin''s attitude, which wasn''t so much nonchalant as completely lacking any sense of gravity. She stood up with Ned''s outstretched hand and massaged her temporarily weakened legs. Then she looked up and...


    "Gasp!"


    She was startled again.


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    "What''s wrong, Calia?"


    Rin seemed concerned about Calia''s continuous startled reactions. Calia pointed with a trembling finger at the massive trunk of the "Grandfather Tree" that pierced through the center of the library.


    "What is that? Why is such a thing inside?"


    "What? Didn''t you see it on the way here? It''s visible from outside too."


    "There was that... monster right in front of me outside."


    Ned snickered at that.


    "Even so, how could you miss something that big? Its branches have grown so much they cover the library roof."


    "R-really?"


    Calia''s face turned as red as her hair. It was embarrassing to have shown such fear in front of the first friend she made at the academy.


    "Everything here is strange! That fountain too, and that monster outside... and what is this tree? Why is it so big? Why plant such a thing inside a building?"


    Actually, the questions Calia listed were among the so-called Three Great Mysteries of Elvlin Academy that all new students encounter at least once. (And most students graduate without getting any meaningful answers.) Rin, having worked as a library assistant for a long time, was more familiar with the academy''s internal affairs than most students.


    "Strictly speaking, Grandfather Tree, I mean this big tree, came first. The library was built later to enclose the tree."


    "Then... that monster outside?"


    "Baron? The same applies to him."


    Rin''s voice suddenly became quieter.


    "Actually, this is a secret... I heard that what Baron guards isn''t the library but Grandfather Tree."


    "What?"


    Both Rin and Calia turned their heads simultaneously. This time, it was Ned who exclaimed.


    "That means... Baron is older than this academy?"


    "Yes."


    "Where did you hear that?"


    Rin tilted her head, wondering if it was really that surprising.


    "The Headmaster told me."


    "What? You''ve spoken with Headmaster Elvlin?"


    Calia couldn''t understand why Ned was making such a fuss. She wondered if it was such a big deal for a student, especially one who grew up in the library from a young age, to have talked with the headmaster.


    "Wow! So the Headmaster really exists?"


    "Of course he does. He even appeared at the freshman welcome ceremony, didn''t he?"


    "Really? Someone told me that was just a stand-in..."


    "Huh? What would be the point of having a stand-in?"


    "Have you been to the Headmaster''s office too?"


    "Yes."


    "So the Headmaster really does exist."


    "......"


    While Ned was confirming various rumors circulating among students with Rin, Calia approached to examine Grandfather Tree more closely. The unprecedented size and grandeur had apparently made her forget the shock she had received from Baron.


    "What''s this gap here?"


    What Calia pointed to was the base of Grandfather Tree. The floor around it was open, following the shape of the round trunk, with railings installed, which seemed to have sparked her curiosity. Particularly, where Calia was standing, the gap between the railing and the trunk was slightly wider. Through that gap, a dark area below was visible.


    "What''s down there?"


    Of course, nothing could be seen inside. However, there had been almost no difference in level when passing through the library entrance, so it was strange that it was so pitch dark. Whether or not Rin understood Calia''s curiosity, she shrugged indifferently.


    "Just a gap."


    "Really?"


    Calia, who had expected a more interesting answer, looked at the gap with a disappointed expression. The gap between the railing and the base was so dark that nothing could be seen despite the countless lights and natural lighting in the interior.


    "This... isn''t there a space inside?"


    Rin shook her head.


    "I thought the same thing a long time ago, but there isn''t."


    "How do you know?"


    "I actually went in."


    "What! Really?"


    "When I was about six years old? I was curious if it was hollow, so I forced my way in. I fell to the floor below and sprained my ankle."


    Calia looked blank for a moment as she watched Rin speak so calmly.


    "You''re... different from how you look."


    "Oh? How do I look?"


    "Well? You look more... ladylike?"


    Rin covered her mouth and laughed.


    "Why are you laughing?"


    "It''s funny to hear that from a real lady. Huhu."


    "Oh? That''s true."


    They climbed the spiral staircase of the library under Rin''s guidance. It was called a staircase, but it was a bookshelf in itself. A structure unlike any other, where one slowly ascends in a spiral along the massive bookshelves that fill the walls. Alongside the stairs, there were also stepped reading spaces attached.


    Lamps were placed at regular intervals, brightly illuminating the interior. Not only Calia, the freshman, but also Ned, who claimed to be visiting the library for the first time since enrollment, were wide-eyed with wonder.


    "Wow! If I had known it was this amazing, I would have come here sooner!"


    Calia asked Ned, who was admiring everything as an "upperclassman," in a tone that suggested he was pathetic.


    "What exactly is your major?"


    "Me? Trade and Commerce."


    "Isn''t that too funny considering your background?"


    "It''s fine. No one else knows."


    "But why specifically that?"


    "Because I want to make money legitimately!"


    "Suddenly righteous?"


    As the conversation died down and things were becoming awkward, Rin, who had been leading silently, stopped them.


    "Here we are."


    Having reached the top floor, they looked up at the domed ceiling that Rin was pointing to.


    "Wow!"


    "Amazing!"


    First, they saw the massive Grandfather Tree growing through the ceiling, and then the enormous dome built as if to embrace that hole came into view. And near that ceiling, Rin''s room was built as an addition, reminiscent of a fairy house in the forest. The two kept exclaiming in admiration.


    "Rin. Is that your room?"


    "Wow! Are we eating dinner there?"


    Rin calmed them down.


    "Huhu. Don''t expect much from the menu."


    ***


    That evening, Rin, Calia, and Ned had dinner together in the small house on the library ceiling. A subtle scent of coniferous trees flowed through the log house, and steam rose from the light soup in the plates and bowls on the table. Rin poured fruit juice mixed with honey into each glass.


    "Calia, Senior Ned. Thanks to both of you, I survived today."


    "It was nothing."


    "Haha. I also had fun teasing those Swordsmanship Department guys."


    Calia, who was drinking her juice, clapped her hands as if she had suddenly remembered something.


    "That''s right, Rin! What were those big guys? Did they always follow you around like that?"


    "Well... it''s complicated."


    "Complicated, huh."


    Ned interrupted with a smirk.


    "They''re believers following High Priestess Rin. Hehehe."


    "H-high priestess?"


    Rin seemed uncomfortable with the expression. Calia put down her spoon and rested her chin on her hand.


    "But they were really skilled. Especially that blonde one who looked normal, why does he act like that?"


    Rin sighed.


    "Well... that might be... my fault."


    "What? Why?"


    "Hehehe. Oh, sorry."


    For Calia, it was a continuous series of incomprehensible events. Why was Ned laughing?


    "It''s a bit of a long story."


    Rin drooped her shoulders.


    "Calia, since you''re new, you might not know. First, I should talk about that person..."


    "Heeheehee! Ah, sorry."


    Ned couldn''t contain his laughter again. Calia thought it was increasingly strange. Rin was quite serious, but Ned, despite his rude personality, was laughing openly, and Rin didn''t seem to mind much. Even now, Ned continued laughing. Meanwhile, he was also eagerly eating, spilling soup here and there. Calia decided to just ignore him.


    "What''s the story?"


    "I need to start with the story about Haderian, but it''s complicated. It might sound absurd when you hear it."


    "It''s okay. I just exchanged greetings with a monster wolf. And now I''m having dinner in a log house on top of a tree that''s grown through a five-story building."


    Rin tilted her head.


    "Hmm? Is that strange?"


    "You don''t think it''s strange?"


    "It''s everyday life for me."


    "...Then is the story about this Haderian person strange?"


    "Yes."


    "..."


    -To be continued-

 {8}“Haderian”

    {8}��Haderian��


    ***


    Haderian. His full name is Haderian ''Rashat''.


    He''s majoring in Swordsmanship and is in his fourth year. He works as a teaching assistant in the General Studies department. He is a genius at swordsmanship and someone who constantly pushes himself with relentless effort. Besides that, he''s academically intelligent, tall, and handsome. However, he had one flaw, which was...


    "He''s an idiot, that brother."


    Ned''s interruption briefly paused Rin''s explanation. Rin scolded Ned without showing much anger.


    "No matter what, it''s rude to call him an idiot."


    "But it''s true, isn''t it? He''s probably the only one who doesn''t realize it."


    His first misfortune: having a cousin named ''Christian Rashat.'' He was the younger cousin of the famous Christian Rashat, one of the Eleven Heroes of the Sian Empire''s Holy Knights and considered one of the continent''s few geniuses of swordsmanship.


    "What?!"


    Calia jumped up from her seat. The two, having anticipated this reaction, weren''t particularly surprised.


    "That person is Christian oppa''s brother?"


    To her, the daughter of the Holy Knights'' Commander, Sir Christian Rashat, a current member of the Holy Knights'' Eleven Heroes, was like a neighborhood big brother whom she had known since childhood.


    "I thought he looked familiar..."


    Haderian himself was certainly born with an excellent talent for swordsmanship, truly deserving to be called a genius, but the person he grew up watching was Christian.


    In other words, he grew up thinking that level was the standard.


    Moreover, in the renowned military family of Rashat in the Sian Empire, Haderian''s parents were from a branch line. So he grew up in the countryside under parents who always preferred to keep a low profile. As a result, he became a person quite oblivious to public opinion and circulating rumors.


    He caught the eye of a retired Holy Knight who was even a former Eleven Hero swordsman, and from the age of five, he was able to learn swordsmanship in a very systematic and excellent manner. Although he lost every time he sparred with his cousin from the main family who occasionally visited, he didn''t mind much since his cousin was six years older.


    The problem here was that his cousin, who had only observed the sword techniques Haderian had been practicing for over five years just once, could execute them much more easily and with greater perfection. This led Haderian to blame himself for insufficient effort and strive even harder. He eventually became such a practice fanatic that even his master, once one of the Eleven Heroes of the Holy Knights, was amazed.


    After a year of honing his swordsmanship, saving every minute he could even from sleeping, he gained confidence and boldly issued a challenge to his cousin.


    "So what happened then?"


    To Calia''s urging, Ned gave a bitter smile.


    "They say Christian copied all his techniques after just three exchanges."


    "..."


    At that time, what Christian said to his brother with a bright smile was, "This is quite nice! It''s ''easy'' to learn and convenient to use."


    Haderian. If only he had been a little wiser.


    But foolishly, he fell into the misunderstanding that his master''s swordsmanship was being disrespected because of his lack of talent. Even though his master tried to show him through several sparring matches how amazing his skills were, Haderian responded with tearful swordsmanship saying, "Thank you for being so lenient with such an unworthy disciple..." and defeated his master.


    Eventually, his annoyed master shouted, "Fine! I''ve never seen such a pathetic guy like you!" Although this was more about the master''s wounded pride as a swordsman than anything else, it dealt a fatal blow to Haderian''s misunderstanding.


    In the year he turned 15, he set out on a journey to the Northern Mixed Continent, leaving his homeland, the Sian Empire. From what he had heard before, there were many educational institutions called academies there that taught without discrimination, regardless of talent.


    Secretly feeling his limitations, he decided to stake everything on this academy as a last resort. The fact that most swordsmen felt their limitations when facing Christian was irrelevant to him.


    With only one longsword inherited from his master, he embarked on an aimless journey. After leaving the Sian Empire and entering the desert region, it became a series of great hardships. After the once-powerful Samar Empire dissolved, the desert people, now scattered in tribal units, were so devastated that it wouldn''t be wrong to say that half of them were bandits.


    A boy traveling alone through such a place would have been very easy prey for looters. Haderian, trapped in the delusion of his own weakness, would run away at the mere sight of one or two bandits. However, outrunning desert people in the desert wasn''t always easy. In the end, he had no choice but to fight, and contrary to his expectations, he always won overwhelmingly.


    "The funny thing here is... hehe."


    Ned started to say something but chuckled to himself, and Rin continued in his place.


    "For the past few years, the eastern desert trade route has become relatively safe. They say it''s thanks to Haderian."


    Calia''s voice rose in disbelief at the idea that a 15-year-old boy could accomplish such a feat alone.


    "That can''t be! I''ve lived in the Imperial capital all this time, but I''ve never heard of such an amazing swordsman from Sian."


    If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Ned tapped her shoulder.


    "With Christian standing tall in the Rashat family, would that kind of talent even get noticed? Besides, Haderian is from a branch family."


    "But clearing out bandits is a significant achievement, isn''t it?"


    "Rather than completely clearing them out, it''s more accurate to say that the bandits in that region moved their operating area because they were disgusted."


    "As the son of a Thieves'' Guild leader, you seem to know well?"


    Though somewhat sarcastic, Ned didn''t mind.


    "Isn''t that obvious?"


    In any case, despite repeated victories, Haderian''s delusion was far from being cured. The bandits he captured would invariably boast with typical desert bandit exaggeration, "Don''t get cocky! Even the kids walking down the street in our village are stronger than me!"


    Because of this, the naive Haderian piled misunderstanding upon misunderstanding, thinking, ''Ah, I''m worse than a kid walking down the street.''


    Anyway, crossing the Northern Mixed Continent after leaving such eventful anecdotes. Due to his long desert journey and extended sea voyage, the few sets of clothes he brought became worn, torn, and full of holes, and his body and hair reached the point of forming a uniform protective layer of dirty water and grease.


    But rather advantageously because of this, after arriving in Valserun, he was treated as a beggar and continued his journey relatively comfortably. (When he sat down to rest briefly, passersby would toss coins at his gaunt appearance.) Unknown to him, he had a talent for begging that was no less impressive than his swordsmanship.


    To what extent? Starting from the Laurenta port where he first set foot in the Northern Continent, he became a threat to the local beggars in every village and city he visited.


    People gave more money to this pitiful boy, who appeared to be from a fallen noble family and whom they were seeing for the first time, than to the beggars they saw in the same spot every day.


    Eventually, the local beggars'' complaints were reported upward, and their voices passed through the lower organization to reach the ears of Gillien, the head of the Laurenta Thieves'' Guild (Ned''s father). In response to the complaint that ''some rootless beggar is threatening our livelihood,'' Gillien casually dispatched a few thugs.


    The intention was to scare him away, but when the thugs returned completely defeated by this ''rootless beggar,'' Gillien wondered, ''Is he unexpectedly strong?'' and sent additional skilled guild members. And despite this, when news of their defeat reached him, Gillien naturally became serious.


    "The guild was turned upside down at that time. The defeat of the guild''s skilled members by a wandering beggar, although they kept their lives, was not something to overlook."


    Calia expressed confusion at Ned''s words.


    "Why?"


    "Because it''s a matter of pride."


    "That''s unnecessary."


    "Haha. I agree."


    Ned continued, reminiscing about that time.


    "Father seemed to be intrigued even as he was angry. He immediately gathered the guild''s elite and issued a ''capture'' order."


    Against the fierce attack of the subsequently dispatched guild elites, Haderian was finally defeated without even being able to put up a fight. Seeing him captured while muttering incomprehensible words like, "I even lose to beggar friends," Gillien laughed dryly rather than getting angry.


    Interested in his talent, Gillien proposed that he join the guild, but Haderian flatly refused.


    "How could someone like me... Someone like me needs to go to an academy and learn much more."


    Gillien tilted his head and questioned, "Academy? How many academies on the continent could actually teach someone of your caliber?" Misinterpreting this statement in an incredibly backward manner, Haderian burst into tears and sobbed, "But there must be! There must be an academy that will accept me somewhere, sir!"


    So Gillien thought of ''Elvlin Academy,'' which had connections through his acquaintance with the great mage Merlen, and personally wrote a letter of recommendation.


    "The rumors were so widespread at the academy that even I remember it."


    Rin said, trying hard to suppress her laughter.


    "A new applicant for the Swordsmanship Department arrived, a beggar boy escorted by very intimidating people... Even I, who usually stayed cooped up in the library, came out of curiosity to see."


    Normally, regardless of application, one would have to attend the General Studies Department for a year, but thanks to the recommendation letter from the head of the Valserun Thieves'' Guild, he was able to directly transfer into the Swordsmanship Department.


    However, the pride of the students in the Swordsmanship Department of Elvlin Academy, a prestigious institution even on the continent, refused to simply accept this beggar boy of unknown origin. On the very first day, under the pretext of "Let''s see your skills," they forced Haderian, who hadn''t even had a chance to wash, into a public sparring match.


    "What?!"


    Calia was outraged as if it were her own situation.


    "That''s just bullying, isn''t it?"


    Rin finally burst out laughing, and Ned nudged Calia, who was tilting her head in confusion.


    "Kukukuk."


    "He definitely bullied them. Haderian bullied the Swordsmanship Department guys."


    Rin collapsed onto the table, covering her mouth, and ignoring her, Ned continued the story.


    "That''s when the senior''s misunderstanding reached its final completion stage. ''Ah, this place really accepts even such weak people without any problems. That''s really fortunate,'' he thought."


    "..."


    "Professor Lidia from the Swordsmanship Department, who rushed to stop the students after hearing the news, was dumbfounded at the sight. So, contrary to her original purpose, she decided to check the new student''s skills herself."


    Calia frowned.


    "Surely... he didn''t beat the professor too?"


    "How could that be? Professor Lidia is a real monster! Once, Christian, who came to visit his brother at school, had an even match with her, which many people, including myself, witnessed. That''s how amazing she is. You especially should know that."


    "Certainly..."


    Calia nodded. As the daughter of the Holy Knights'' Commander, she knew well how strong Christian was.


    "I''ve never seen Christian oppa lose to anyone except Uncle Right Hand."


    "Uncle Right Hand? If it''s Right Hand, could it be... the legendary Sir Lucas, said to be the strongest on the continent?"


    "Yes."


    "..."


    ***


    Anyway, Professor Lidia was surprised to see the boy defending against her attacks several times. Although he lost shortly after, even the initial sword exchanges were impressive.


    Reviewing the admission papers of this boy with remarkable skills beyond his age yet a consistently unconfident attitude, Professor Lidia couldn''t help but chuckle the more she observed him.


    ''Rashat.''


    Well, that explains it. He''s a relative of the famous Sir Christian. She felt sympathy for the boy, thinking he must have had a hard time growing up. She quietly called Haderian to the dean''s office.


    "Wait! Is Professor Lidia a woman?"


    To Calia''s question, Ned shrugged.


    "Yes. Is there a problem?"


    "...No."


    "That''s lame."


    Professor Lidia had a private interview with Haderian, both curious about his story and wanting to offer words of encouragement.


    "I was also in front of the Swordsmanship Department dean''s office at that time."


    Ned said proudly. There were many students curious about what the two were discussing, and they eventually formed a group to eavesdrop.


    "Professor Lidia tried to clarify each misunderstanding as she listened to the senior''s life story and attempted to accurately inform him of his current level. But the senior repeatedly responded, ''Thank you. But you don''t have to comfort me that much,'' while sniffling. Truly... there has never been such an idiot."


    The interview with Professor Lidia, instead of instilling confidence in him, became an opportunity to inform the entire student body that he possessed exceptional swordsmanship skills and that only he was unaware of it. As the rumors spread, he instantly became a famous figure at the academy.


    And though he has improved a lot over time, he still renews his misunderstanding of his own weakness whenever he starts to forget it.


    "Sigh..."


    Calia let out a long sigh. She now understood why Rin and Ned had been laughing all this time, and on the other hand, she also felt sorry for Haderian. However, even after hearing all this, she still had one question. In fact, this was the biggest question.


    "But... why is he following Rin around?"


    At that question, Rin abruptly stopped laughing, while Ned started laughing even harder.


    "Huhuhuaaaahaha."


    "That... I should explain that myself."


    Rin opened her mouth with a rather serious tone.


    "To do that, I need to tell you about another famous person at our school."


    "There''s another famous person?"


    Rin shrugged at Calia, who asked in disbelief.


    "If I had to say, the person I''m about to talk about is much more famous."


    -To be continued-

 {9}“Leo”

    {9}��Leo��


    ***


    "Have you heard of someone named Leo, Calia?"


    Weren''t they just talking about Haderian? Calia tilted her head at the unexpected name that came from Rin''s mouth.


    "Is that another famous person at the school?"


    "Yes."


    "That guy...."


    Ned cut in.


    "He''s a prot��g�� of Dr. Gernshvatz from the Engineering Department."


    Of course, as a freshman, Calia had no way of understanding what that meant.


    "He''s such a cheerful guy that I''d like to become friends with him... but it''s just impossible to get close. Too dangerous, you know?"


    Dangerous? The son of the Laurenta Thieves'' Guild Head considered someone else dangerous? Calia was suddenly intrigued.


    "So is he from an even more dangerous background? More than you?"


    "No."


    "No?"


    "Dangerous? No... he''s from an orphanage."


    "An orphanage?"


    Leo, currently an upperclassman in the Engineering Department mainly helping with research, came from an orphanage in a village at the border between Renbania and Valserun. From a young age, he showed exceptional dexterity and intelligence, creating many ingenious things. Thanks to his demonstrated talent, he was recommended by the orphanage director and entrusted to the Academy.


    "That doesn''t sound like a problem at all?"


    Rin nodded.


    "Of course. It wasn''t a problem at all... it ''wasn''t''."


    The issue was the first ''prototype'' he completed after coming to the Academy.


    "Prototype?"


    Calia''s eyebrows rose. Ned smirked.


    "He considers everything he makes as potentially marketable products. So he calls all his inventions prototypes."


    His talent was extraordinary, even at just fifteen years old when he was recommended for admission. His manual dexterity in creating simple tools and machines exactly as he envisioned was truly a gift from the gods. When Dr. Gernshvatz saw him complete a casting process perfectly on his first attempt, he immediately said, "You, be my assistant."


    And so Leo began assisting Dr. Gernshvatz with research. His ''prototype series'' made its public debut two years after his admission, at the ''Academy Combat Tournament.''


    "Combat Tournament? You have that too?"


    Calia asked in surprise. Ned replied with a somewhat proud tone.


    "Of course. There are quite a few famous swordsmen and generals among our alumni."


    Why is someone from a thieves'' guild proud of that? Calia wanted to ask but held back. Rin continued the story with a serious expression.


    "They don''t use real weapons with actual blades, and protective gear is required for the competition. Still, it''s incredibly dangerous. Last year was my first chance to watch it... and that was the tournament where Senior Leo competed."


    Elvlin Academy''s Combat Tournament is renowned for its realism. It''s so intense that every year, various institutions from across the Northern Continent send representatives to scout promising talents.


    Sharp-edged weapons are prohibited. Besides that, the rules are very liberal �C ''if an individual can carry it,'' any weapon is allowed.


    As a result, all sorts of weapons appear, and injuries are inevitable in this perilous contest of skill. When news spread that Leo would unexpectedly be competing in such a serious arena, there was widespread ridicule from the Swordsmanship Department and various military and tactical studies departments.


    Lupren, the ace of the Spear Arts Department at the time, publicly mocked him, saying, "How dare a bookworm who just tinkers with metal scraps in his room? I''ll humiliate him for generations to come!"


    In the tournament-style Combat Tournament, the weapon Leo brought to his first match was ''armor.'' And not even full-body armor �C it had most of the vital body points exposed, while the gauntlets, which should be light, were strangely oversized and blunt.


    Coincidentally, his first opponent was Lupren, who predictably scoffed at the armor Leo wore. As soon as the match began, Lupren launched an attack with great confidence, and everyone watching was certain the match would end with that one strike. But Leo dodged it with remarkable ease.


    "Dodged?"


    Calia seemed confused. Had he incorporated some special mechanism into his armor, befitting an engineering student?


    "Senior Leo''s movements when I first saw him were... almost at the level of a wild animal. Everyone was caught off guard by the stereotype that an engineering student would obviously be physically weak."


    "Haha..."


    Most disappointingly for Lupren, Leo easily avoided every thrust of the spear. His stamina was so good that Lupren, carrying both armor and spear, tired first. Eventually, an angry Lupren threw away his spear, forcing the match into hand-to-hand combat. At that point, Leo, who had been running away to stay out of the spear''s range, could no longer escape and began exchanging blows with Lupren.


    "Senior Leo was not at all overwhelmed in hand-to-hand combat."


    Finding himself pushed back by an unexpectedly skilled opponent, Lupren, blinded by the pride of being the Spear Arts Department''s ace, committed an irreversible foul. He pulled out a hidden ''sharp-edged'' dagger from his waist and stabbed with it.


    "What? My goodness! What happened to this Leo person?"


    Though the story had wandered quite far, Calia was now fully engaged. As if to answer her enthusiasm, Rin suddenly stood up and exclaimed:


    "Justice Enforced!"


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    With a serious face and furrowed brows, but given her slender frame, it came across as somewhat awkward.


    "What enforcement?"


    "Justice Enforced! That''s what Senior Leo actually said at that moment."


    And indeed he had. The moment Lupren thrust forward with his concealed dagger, Leo suddenly shouted, "Justice Enforced!" Just then, from the armor connecting his gauntlets behind his back, there was a loud boom as enormous smoke poured out. At the same time, his right fist whirled like a tornado, directly hitting Lupren''s chest.


    When that strange gauntlet contacted the metal armor part, a sound similar to a cathedral bell rang out, and Lupren''s body was ''launched'' into the air at an unbelievable speed, ''flying'' quite far.


    "...Did he die?"


    Rin smiled awkwardly at Calia, who asked with sparkling eyes.


    "No. He''s still alive and well."


    Leo called the device "Justice Enforcement Machine No. 1." In his words, Lupren became the official first sacrifice to the Justice Enforcement Machine series in Ascalian history. This sparked a debate within the Academy about whether using mechanical devices was against the rules, eventually exceeding the authority of both the Military Studies Department, which hosted the tournament, and the Student Council.


    Finally, after thorough deliberation in a board meeting that included all professors, the conclusion was that "if projectiles like arrows are already permitted as non-bladed weapons, there''s no reason to prohibit mechanical devices."


    Given the tournament''s emphasis on practical combat, they considered such devices to fall within the category of weapons.


    "Then is there a No. 2 as well?"


    To Calia''s natural curiosity, Ned answered:


    "According to rumors, he''s now far beyond No. 10."


    With official permission to use mechanical devices from the school, Leo went on to win match after match, advancing to the finals. And waiting for him in the final match was none other than the Swordsmanship Department''s ace �C Haderian Rashat.


    When the gong signaling the start of the finals rang, Leo immediately charged forward saying, "Hehe. You look so sturdy, I''m relieved." Haderian responded with solid defense. Using a longsword almost as tall as himself, his swordsmanship was known not only for its offense but for a defense so impenetrable it often demoralized opponents. However, today he seemed somewhat off.


    As Leo rushed in at incredible speed swinging his fists, smoke hissed from the mechanical devices on his back and gauntlets, and each time Haderian blocked, there was a tremendous impact sound. After continuously blocking Leo''s relentless attacks, Haderian became exhausted before he could launch a proper offensive.


    "This is where Mr. Haderian''s nightmare began again after a long while," Rin said.


    "He had gradually realized during his time at the Academy that his previous misunderstandings were truly the result of misinterpretation upon misinterpretation. By the time he was recognized as the Swordsmanship Department''s ace, he had completely regained his confidence."


    To make a long story short, Haderian suffered a crushing defeat to Leo that day. Unable to launch a proper attack, he focused solely on blocking the fierce onslaught from the strange gauntleted ''Justice Enforcement Machine No. 1'' until he eventually depleted his stamina, took a decisive blow, and collapsed to the ground.


    During the award ceremony, in his victory speech, Leo simply said, "Experiment successful," and coolly left the podium. He didn''t even glance at Haderian, who was still trembling from the shock and barely managing to stand on the second-place podium.


    It was the greatest legend in Elvlin Academy Combat Tournament history and the beginning of Haderian''s new nightmare.


    Afterward, Haderian frequently skipped meals and practice, living almost like a shut-in. Despite encouragement from those around him to recover his spirit, it was useless.


    As he began to skip practice, he suddenly realized he had too much free time. Previously, his days consisted of waking at dawn to swing his sword until sunset, constantly sweating. Breaking from that routine suddenly left him with nothing to do.


    Tired of being confined to his dormitory room, one day he headed to the library for reasons unknown. And there, he saw Rin organizing books for the first time. Recalling that day, Rin frowned.


    "Before then, I''d only seen him walking with the Swordsmanship Department group, looking very gallant and neat... but now he was thin, slouching, unwashed, unshaven... anyway, it took me a while to recognize who he was."


    At that time, Rin habitually asked, "Can I help you?" and Haderian shook his head saying, "No one can help me now." Of course, they were talking past each other, but not realizing this, Rin responded in typical librarian fashion:


    "If we look, I''m sure we''ll find something. Would you like to search with me?"


    Saying that, Rin led the way, and Haderian followed as if entranced. As it was right after final exams with vacation approaching, they were able to browse through the books together in an empty library.


    Rin, who had heard a little about Haderian''s recent situation, recommended books about ''individuals who overcame adversity'' whenever spotting one. The strange thing was that Haderian silently accepted each recommendation. Eventually, when the books he held exceeded ten, Rin stopped making suggestions.


    He finally left after checking out a total of twelve books. A few weeks later, surprising news spread: Haderian had regained his former vigor.


    He attended practice regularly and swung his sword with even more energy than before, amazing those around him. The only difference was that he had developed a habit of reading in his spare time. He appeared before Rin again just one day before the book return deadline.


    "Miss Rin. I''ve read all the books you recommended."


    When she saw him again, he stood tall with shoulders straight, handsome and neat in appearance, exuding confidence.


    "All those books?"


    "Yes. They were perfect for me."


    Then he handed Rin a flower. Of course, Rin gladly accepted the gift, she said.


    "...That doesn''t seem like a problem?"


    Calia meaninglessly swirled her empty cup.


    "If anything, isn''t he rather romantic?"


    Rin and Ned looked at each other. Rin seemed unwilling to continue the story and turned her head away, so Ned took over.


    "Yes. And that romance... became somewhat repetitive."


    "Repetitive?"


    Haderian sought out Rin the next day too, offering a flower. And the day after that, and the day after that, and still the next day. Every single day.


    "Are you kidding? If she doesn''t like it, just refuse, right?"


    To Calia''s reasonable question, Rin spoke again.


    "Of course I refused. I said it was too burdensome to keep accepting..."


    Then Haderian began bringing different gifts instead of flowers, but he still kept coming. If she said no, he would simply change the gift again.


    This was the beginning of what students at Elvlin Academy still talk about today �C the legend of the ''Man Who Doesn''t Know How to Give Up.''


    Just as his persistence in swordsmanship had been remarkable, his obsession with love was equally relentless.


    Dean Lidia, who had come after hearing the rumors, tried to explain the female perspective in great detail, being a woman herself, but couldn''t persuade the stubborn young man. Since such persistent expressions of affection weren''t specifically prohibited either in the Republic of Ascalia or at the Academy, there was no means anywhere to forcibly stop his behavior.


    "It''s been a year like this already."


    Rin''s face couldn''t have been darker as she said that. Of course, just hearing this far wouldn''t reveal how serious it was, but Calia had already witnessed Haderian''s current state firsthand.


    "Wait! Rin isn''t at fault at all, right?"


    "Still, I did cause it in a way."


    "Are you kidding? He fell for you on his own and keeps bothering you even though you''ve refused him?"


    At Calia''s forthright words, Rin''s face brightened somewhat.


    "Thank you, Calia."


    "That''s not the point."


    "Pardon?"


    "What are you going to do now?"


    "What...?"


    "About Haderian. Are you just going to leave things as they are?"


    Rin was a bit startled when Calia became serious.


    "Well, it''s not like Mr. Haderian is doing anything particularly bad to me..."


    "You''re so frustrating! Hey Ned! How do you handle situations like this?"


    "Huh? Us?"


    Ned thought seriously for a moment before answering.


    "In cases like this, secretly sending an assassin..."


    Smack!


    "Ow! I was joking, why did you hit me?"


    Ned frowned, his shoulder suddenly struck. Calia raised her hand threateningly again.


    "Joking? Do you think that sounds like a joke knowing who you are?"


    Ned looked extremely wronged.


    "Despite appearances, I was raised to listen well to my father (the head of the Northern Continent''s largest thieves'' guild)."


    Calia ignored Ned''s protest.


    "So the essence of the problem is this: finding a way to stop a troublesome person when they''ve created their own faction."


    Hearing that, Ned fell into thought again and after a while, as if recalling something, he spoke up.


    "Come to think of it, about four years ago? A new organization emerged in Laurenta."


    "And?"


    "We sent spies to sow discord among their members."


    At this, Rin became serious.


    "Wait a minute! We can''t do such things to the Swordsmanship Department people just because I''m uncomfortable!"


    "Calm down, Rin."


    Calia''s tone had become composed.


    "I''m just hearing opinions. I wanted to compare them with the method I came up with."


    "What?"


    This piqued both Rin and Ned''s curiosity.


    "What method did you come up with?"


    "Ahem!"


    Unexpectedly, Calia tensed her facial muscles. It was an attempt to look dignified, but with little effect. Just a few wrinkles between her eyebrows and slightly flared nostrils.


    "In our Sian Empire, we have a saying."


    She put down her cup with a loud thud.


    *BANG!*


    "The enemy of my enemy is my friend!"


    -To be continued-

 {10}“The Enemy of My Enemy”

    {10}��The Enemy of My Enemy��


    ***


    "...and so, the Ascalian Royal Army under Gent''s command was met with a volley of arrows from the mercenary troops that Karnin had previously placed in ambush, and at the entrance of the ravine where they had no choice but to form a longitudinal formation, the Royal Army was helplessly..."


    Professor Sven had been drawing complex arrows on the map on the blackboard for nearly an hour. The current topic, ''The Establishment of the Republic of Ascalia,'' was Professor Sven''s personal field of expertise, and the lecture was clearly going to run longer than usual due to his enthusiasm.


    He had already covered the necessary curriculum within the allotted time, and now he was continuing with tactical discussions he hadn''t been able to finish. His class on ''Northern Mixed Continent War History'' was among the more popular required courses for first-year students, but most students had left the classroom as soon as the bell rang.


    Basically, all classes at Elvlin Academy have about an hour of interval between them, but according to school rules, students are not obligated to attend beyond the scheduled class time. So Professor Sven continued his explanation regardless of whether students were leaving or not.


    "The Royal Army, thrown into confusion by the ambush of the archers, retreated deep into the ravine to regroup, but this was a Bad hand. The traps that Karnin had set throughout the ravine, having recklessly hired mercenaries with money drawn from the merchant guild, were ultimately successful. Two hours into the retreat, the Royal Army''s formation was bisected by an ambush from spearmen lying in wait in the center of the ravine..."


    The lecture hall was nearly empty, with only three people remaining: Rin, Calia, and one more male student whose name was unknown. Rin, who had been diligently taking notes, quietly raised her hand. Professor Sven nodded.


    "Yes, Miss Rin."


    "You just said it was a ''Bad hand,'' so what would have been a good move?"


    Professor Sven gave a faint smile.


    "There are no correct answers in tactics. Even if you follow theory precisely, it''s ultimately nothing more than reducing mistakes based on accumulated war cases. What would you have done, Miss Rin, and those of you remaining here?"


    The three students were silent for a while. Calia was the first to speak.


    "The information about Karnin''s independent army headquarters was a trap from the beginning, wasn''t it? If it were me, I would have operated a more reliable information unit from the start. That way, I could have detected the trap in advance."


    Professor Sven wrote two words on an empty space on the blackboard.


    [Information]


    [Intelligence]


    After the students read the words written side by side, the professor spoke again.


    "Good point! The Royal Army at that time did not operate a high-level information unit. If they had, they could have obtained more intelligence and information closer to the truth, couldn''t they?"


    Next, Rin raised her hand.


    "But that''s advance preparation, isn''t it? I think they should have been wary of terrain like a ravine. Wasn''t it a mistake to enter such dangerous terrain in the first place when information was lacking?"


    Professor Svetrinaha added another word: Terrain.


    "Good thinking. Information is important beforehand, and judgment is important on the field. And when making that judgment, terrain becomes a very important factor."


    Then the male student, who had been silent until now, raised his hand.


    "I think retreating was a good decision when they were ambushed at the entrance to the ravine."


    Professor Svetrinaha countered:


    "Even though the Royal Army was ultimately defeated?"


    "Yes."


    The male student who looked up had black hair and, unusually, yellow eyes, with glasses on top of that. Seeing this, Rin thought he somehow resembled Headmaster Elvlin.


    "It''s just that the direction of retreat wasn''t good. If it were me, I would have charged toward the archers."


    Charge? Isn''t that too reckless? Wait, that''s not even a retreat, is it? Rin and Calia both gave questioning looks.


    "At that time, the archers were lying in ambush in the forest terrain of the ravine. The Royal Army''s primary armament included shields. It would have been entirely possible to break through the archers and escape the ravine."


    Professor Svetrinaha countered again.


    "If the goal was to avoid the ravine, they could have turned their march in the opposite direction and escaped that way. Why specifically target the archers?"


    "That''s a method for not losing, not for winning. To overturn a situation where you''ve already fallen into a trap, minimizing damage isn''t enough. If they had succeeded in breaking through the archers, they could have leveraged the Royal Army''s strength in close combat to surprise-attack the other ambush forces."


    At this confident answer, Professor Svetrinaha narrowed his eyes and asked:


    "Your name, student?"


    "Elrunt, sir."


    "Elrunt... are you sure?"


    "Yes."


    "..."


    Professor Sven stared at him silently before leaving the classroom.


    "I''ll be looking forward to seeing more from you."


    "Thank you."


    Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    ***


    After the unusually passionate class ended, the remaining students introduced themselves to each other.


    "Nice to meet you. I''m Calia."


    "I''m Rin."


    "Pleased to meet you, Calia. And you... you''re the famous Library Fairy?"


    At those words, Calia giggled in amusement, while Rin, the person in question, laughed awkwardly.


    Two weeks had passed since the entrance ceremony. If there had been any slight change during this short time, it was that Haderian''s ''Lily of the Valley Knights'' had received official approval as a club activity. Nominally, they were a campus security force, but in reality, they were essentially engaged in open fanatical worship of Rin. Thanks to this, Rin was now a celebrity even among the new students.


    "By the way, Elrunt, have you studied war history separately before?"


    To Rin''s question, Elrunt shook his head.


    "I''ve never formally studied it, but we have quite a lot of books at home. I enjoy reading, and I also like games."


    "What kind of games?"


    "Mainly chess. Though I usually play alone since I don''t have anyone to play with."


    Rin smiled brightly at that.


    "Chess? You should play with us!"


    "Really? Would that be okay?"


    "Of course."


    Elrunt''s expression visibly brightened. Calia also nodded.


    "I like chess too. By the way..."


    She poked Rin while taking out a pocket watch.


    "I think we should be going soon."


    "Oh!"


    Rin clapped her hands as if she had just remembered something. Elrunt observed their expressions and asked:


    "Do you have a class soon?"


    Rin shook her head.


    "No, it''s not that..."


    As Rin hesitated and looked at Calia, Calia raised one eyebrow and counted on her fingers.


    "Four, five, six... perfect."


    Just as Elrunt was tilting his head at her inexplicable behavior, Calia suddenly grabbed his wrist.


    "This works out well. You come too!"


    "Huh?"


    The three left the academic area and headed toward the eastern end of the Academy, where the Engineering Department''s laboratories were located. Elrunt, who had been following without any explanation, finally spoke up after about 10 minutes.


    "Those sturdy people have been following us for a while now... is that okay?"


    In the direction he pointed, there were indeed five robust individuals. They were Haderian and senior students from the Swordsmanship Department. Calia gently covered her mouth with her finger.


    "Shh. We know."


    Elrunt broke into a cold sweat, realizing he was the only one unaware of the situation.


    "Who are those people?"


    Calia dismissed the question with one word.


    "Enemies."


    "...Enemies?"


    After walking in silence for another 10 minutes, they finally reached the Engineering Department''s research building, and the situation suddenly changed. The Swordsmanship Department seniors, who had been maintaining their distance while following them, suddenly started running.


    "Tch. They''ve caught on. Run!"


    As Calia shouted and ran, Rin followed, and Elrunt, startled, also began running. From behind, Haderian''s elegant voice could be heard.


    "Lady Rin! Why are you going to such an evil place? Come back!"


    Despite the considerable distance, the Swordsmanship Department seniors caught up to Rin''s group at a frightening speed. In this critical moment of near capture, Rin called out urgently:


    "Senior Ned!"


    At that, the entrance to the Engineering Department opened and three male students dashed out. One of them was Ned, and the other two were people Calia had never seen before. Haderian, who had been pursuing them, drew his sword and rushed forward with a terrifying momentum upon seeing this.


    "So it was you, you evil one!"


    In response, one of the young men who had emerged from the entrance��a sturdy young man with tawny mane-like hair��shouted back:


    "Aha! So you''re the fool Ned mentioned?"


    He crossed his fists in an X-pattern and charged at Haderian. Smoke erupted from both his shoulders, and his arms were covered in peculiarly shaped armor.


    "Uaaaah! Justice Enforcement..."


    "Woooah! In the name of the Lily of the Valley Knights..."


    Haderian''s sword strike aimed at the young man''s crown. The young man raised his left arm over his head and thrust forward his right fist as he charged.


    "Number 13!"


    *BANG!*


    *WHOOSH!*


    An extraordinary collision sound, far from that of two people colliding, was heard as the two were enveloped in smoke. Ned, who had joined Rin''s fleeing group, silently gulped as they waited for the smoke to clear.


    "Ugh."


    Haderian clutched his stomach and fell to the ground. The breastplate where his hand was gripping was visibly dented. The remaining four members of the ''Lily of the Valley Knights'' froze, unable to react to the swift conclusion.


    "Geez. Why do you keep coming back when you always lose?"


    The young man who had knocked down Haderian maintained his stance, keeping the remaining four in check. With their momentum broken by his flawless posture and overwhelming first strike, the Lily of the Valley Knights began to back away.


    "Hey! This guy might break something if he doesn''t get to the infirmary soon!"


    No sooner had the young man spoken than the Lily of the Valley Knights supported the fallen Haderian and left the scene as if fleeing.


    "Y-you''ll pay for this, Leo!"


    "We will definitely repay this debt today!"


    As the retreating Lily of the Valley Knights members each delivered a line worthy of a cheap villain, Calia finally understood the identity of their rescuers. She walked up to the young man and offered her hand.


    "Thank you for your help. You''re Senior Leo, right?"


    The young man��Leo��raised one corner of his mouth and shook her hand.


    "And you are... the client Ned mentioned?"


    "Yes. I''m Calia."


    ***


    "Um... will Haderian be okay?"


    In the conference room set up in the Engineering Department''s research center, Rin was still restless despite having escaped the crisis. Calia smiled wryly and patted Rin''s shoulder.


    "You''re still worried about that guy even after all the harassment?"


    "But... it was a strong enough impact to dent his armor."


    "He''ll be fine! Hehehe!"


    Leo, who was sitting on the table, spoke with a confident voice.


    "I''ve tried pretty hard for the past year, but I still haven''t been able to find the limit of that guy''s endurance!"


    "..."


    "He''ll be fine, he''ll be fine!"


    Elrunt, who had been quietly listening for a while, discreetly asked Calia:


    "...Isn''t that person dangerous?"


    "He''ll be fine, he''ll be fine."


    "..."


    Currently, there were six people gathered in the conference room: Rin, Calia, and Elrunt who had followed them somewhat unexpectedly; Ned who had gone to the Engineering Department in advance to request help; and two people who had responded to his request��one was Leo, and the other was ''Shulmaier,'' a hidden talent in the Engineering Department who, though not well-known, was Leo''s constant companion whenever he created something.


    He hadn''t said a single word since they first met, and even now he remained silent as he placed cups matching the number of people present and poured a tea-like liquid from an experimental flask.


    "Thank you."


    Even at Rin''s thanks, he only nodded in silence.


    *SLURP*


    *SIP SIP*


    For a while, an awkward silence fell as the group drank the liquid that appeared to be tea.


    When Rin and Calia exchanged glances of admiration for the liquid, which was similar to tea but had a peculiar savory taste, Leo noticed this and snapped his fingers.


    "Hmm! This drink seems like a success?"


    Then Shulmaier opened his mouth for the first time. To be precise, it would be more accurate to say he muttered while writing something in the notebook he was holding.


    "...Beverage No. 56 with tea base tasting is successful. A separate survey is needed for a more objective comparison..."


    "So..."


    Leo turned his head toward Calia.


    "I didn''t hear much detail from Ned, you know? I heard a loud noise and came out to find the Library Fairy being chased... what exactly happened?"


    In response, Calia unexpectedly looked at Elrunt.


    "What do you think was the secret to Karnin''s success in driving out the Royal Army and establishing the Republic of Ascalia?"


    Leo, far from being upset at this seeming disregard, looked at Elrunt with an interested expression. Naturally becoming the focus of everyone''s attention, Elrunt appeared slightly nervous.


    "Um... probably the mercenaries."


    Elrunt pulled at his collar, seemingly a bit uncomfortable.


    "He quickly brought the commercial guilds, which were filled with discontent due to the Royal Family''s excessive tax increases, to his side."


    "Just what I was thinking!"


    Calia now looked toward Leo.


    "You know about the situation between Rin and Haderian, right?"


    "Huh? Is there anyone at this academy who doesn''t know about that? Hehehe."


    "Then you must also know that Rin needs help?"


    Leo grinned and folded his arms.


    "So I''m the mercenary chosen by the Library Fairy? Why?"


    Calia also crossed her arms, facing Leo.


    "The basic method is the same as how Karnin won."


    "The same?"


    "The enemy of my enemy is my friend!"


    "Hmm! Interesting!"


    Leo uncrossed his arms and finally got down from the table.


    "Of course, you must have future plans for this idea?"


    "Of course."


    -To be continued-

 {11}“Future Plans”

    {11}��Future Plans��


    ***


    The central plaza was located in the middle of the academy grounds. Right next to this plaza stood the Academy Administration building.


    The first floor housed a branch of Isaiah Trading Company, the continent''s premier banking institution, which typically bustled with students using its services. Today, however, it was strangely quiet. There were still many people, but everyone had paused what they were doing.


    Their gazes were fixed on six students walking in a row.


    Leo, known as the Engineering Department''s most dangerous individual, and the Library Fairy, who had finally enrolled this year after earning tuition through perilous expedition activities.


    Two famous individuals with absolutely no connection walking together in the same group? And heading toward the reception desk, no less��what could they possibly be up to? Such questioning stares accumulated, piercing the back of the group''s heads.


    "...I feel like I''m going to die from all these stares."


    Elrunt dismissed Ned''s complaint.


    "Haa. Let''s just register first."


    He held a single document in his hand.


    ***


    About an hour earlier. Gathered in the Engineering Department laboratory''s conference room, they had to listen to Calia''s unexpected proposal.


    "A new... club?"


    In response to Leo''s question, Calia nodded.


    "Yes. Our plan is to create a new club."


    "That''s fine, but why?"


    "Have you heard of the Lily of the Valley Knights?"


    A moment of silence fell over the room. Elrunt frowned and asked:


    "Good heavens! What kind of name is that?"


    Calia explained everything she knew about Rin and Haderian to help Elrunt, a new student, understand the situation.


    She told him about the ''Lily of the Valley Knights'' who had been following them, their leader Haderian, and even the reason for his obsession with Rin.


    Elrunt found this new information fascinating and kept asking questions. As she answered each one, the explanation grew much longer than expected. Finding herself straying significantly from her original point, Calia occasionally glanced at Leo and Shulmaier, but they merely sipped their tea-like beverages without showing much reaction.


    "I looked into it and found they received approval for club activities recently."


    "..."


    "In my homeland of Sian, we have a saying: Strike down your enemy with their own weapon."


    Leo nodded as if he finally understood.


    "So we should create our own club to counter them? Is that what you''re saying?"


    "Yes. That way we can help Rin more effectively."


    "And what''s in it for me?"


    At that moment, Shulmaier cleared his throat and adjusted his glasses nervously. Leo quickly apologized.


    "Sorry. What''s in it for Shulmaier and me?"


    "Fun."


    "Fun? Did you say fun?"


    Unexpectedly, Leo frowned.


    Why this sudden change? Calia was quite taken aback by his overtly irritated expression. She had heard from Rin and Ned that Leo was supposedly someone who couldn''t resist anything fun, the very definition of a moody character. Well, his unpredictability certainly seemed to confirm that aspect of his personality.


    "What''s the standard? Who decides what''s fun?"


    Leo''s expression had hardened as he spoke. To make matters worse, he was opening only his left eye extremely wide, giving him a frightening appearance.


    "I helped you earlier because you looked troubled, but Ned couldn''t recruit me before you arrived. Why would it be any different with you?"


    "..."


    When Calia shot Ned an accusatory glance, he simply shrugged and shook his head. Leo stood up and flung open the conference room door.


    "If there''s nothing else to discuss, I should get back to my experiment. Heheh."


    "Just a moment."


    Rin rose from her seat and walked to the chalkboard hanging on the wall.


    "May I write on this?"


    As soon as Leo nodded, Rin began writing on the board.


    [What will we do?]


    "This is what you''re looking for, right, Senior Leo?"


    "Heheh!"


    Surprisingly, Leo sat down quietly in his chair. Rin took a deep breath, then branched out from the first sentence.


    If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    "We''ll decide right here what we''re going to do. So please share what each of you wants to do."


    While most couldn''t grasp Rin''s spontaneous action and intention, Leo subtly raised his hand.


    "Research."


    Rin quickly scrawled the word ''Research'' on the chalkboard.


    "What kind of research exactly?"


    "Mechanical engineering, invention, prototype development, and testing them."


    Rin rapidly noted down Leo''s confident answers. By now, the words on the board were connected by lines, forming a tree-like structure. She added the word ''Cooperation'' as well.


    "Once we form a club, all members can cooperate on this. That''s already a significant benefit, isn''t it?"


    Leo looked at Shulmaier with one eye wide open.


    "I''m already feeling capricious."


    "..."


    Instead of answering, Shulmaier abruptly stood up, drew a new branch on the board, and wrote ''History'' on it. When Rin opened her eyes wide, silently asking for an explanation, Leo answered for him.


    "That guy. History is his hobby."


    Then Ned casually raised his hand.


    "Travel!"


    Though unexpected, Rin responded without hesitation.


    "Both are possible."


    Rin wrote ''Travel'' next to ''History,'' connected them, and added the word ''Ruins.''


    "Ruins exist all over the world. Travel is necessary for data collection."


    Calia added her thoughts.


    "That''s right! While we''re traveling, why not help people in need?"


    It was a statement befitting the daughter of the Holy Knights'' Commander, but the three who didn''t know this tilted their heads in confusion. Yet Rin provided another solution. She created a new branch labeled ''Help,'' connected it to ''Cooperation,'' and then linked it to ''Inventions'' as well.


    "We could use Senior Leo''s inventions to help people in trouble!"


    Leo grinned at this.


    "Excellent! We can test the products at the same time!"


    "Yes! Test the products... at the same time."


    Rin thought she glimpsed a bit of Dr. Gernshvatz in Leo''s smile. She hoped it was just an unfounded concern.


    "Any other opinions? Hmm... it seems Elrunt is the only one who hasn''t shared his thoughts..."


    Elrunt responded in a quiet voice.


    "I need someone to play chess with."


    "I see! Chess..."


    After writing ''Chess'' on the board, Rin seemed to be pondering how to connect it with the other items. Then Elrunt spoke again.


    "More importantly... what will we name the club?"


    "..."


    Everyone fell silent at this unexpected question. Though breaking into a cold sweat, Rin tried to slowly synthesize everything written on the board.


    "Hmm... traveling to ruins around the world... testing inventions along the way and using them to help people... and chess..."


    Rin appeared to be searching for a comprehensive name. She circled several words, drew arrows to combine them, and started experimenting with different combinations.


    "Hmm... The Club for Archeological Research Using Engineering Inventions and Community Service..."


    Elrunt raised an objection.


    "What about chess?"


    "...and Chess."


    Even Rin seemed to think this wasn''t quite right as she hung her head. That''s when Leo raised his hand with a confident expression.


    "How about the Justice Enforcement Club?"


    While it felt rather imperious, it was somewhat comprehensive. But Elrunt interrupted again.


    "What about chess?"


    Leo scratched his head as he looked at Elrunt.


    "Justice Enforcement... Chess Club?"


    ***


    "Hey, student. Are you going to register or not?"


    At the receptionist''s question, Elrunt handed over the document he was holding. The staff member scanned the document and briefly looked over the group.


    "Minimum of six members required for establishment. Is everyone here present?"


    They each showed their student IDs one by one. Elrunt gave a wry smile as he realized the main reason he was included was simply to "make up the numbers." The staff member spent some time copying the contents of the document and stamped it several times for approval.


    Then she handed them a new document.


    "Let''s see, the name is... ''Free Research Club,'' correct? Now get your faculty advisor''s signature on this form, and it should be approved within a few days."


    Just as when they entered, the group commanded everyone''s attention as they left the administration building. Now that they had submitted their club application, the next step was to find a faculty advisor. They agreed to start by approaching professors who were acquainted with Rin from the "recommended faculty advisors" list provided by the staff.


    The History Department building was closest to the main administration building, and it housed Professor Antoine, Professor Temel, and Professor Svetrinaha, all of whom were on friendly terms with Rin.


    However, according to the list, Professor Antoine and Professor Sven already advised other clubs, leaving only Professor Temel as an option.


    "It would be amazing if Professor Temel agreed to take us on."


    Calia said excitedly.


    "In the Northern Mixed Continent Travelogue, Professor Temel had major roles in every chapter! How wonderful would it be to have someone like that leading us?"


    "Oh my! I was thinking the same thing!"


    No one reacted except Rin, who agreed enthusiastically. The "Northern Mixed Continent Travelogue" was a book chronicling the adventures of younger Professor Antoine and Professor Temel as they traveled throughout the Mixed Continent.


    It began as actual journal entries written by Professor Temel in his youth, which Professor Antoine had stumbled upon and reworked with his exceptional writing skills into a novel format. It later became a bestseller among novels based on true stories. However, among this group, only Calia and Rin had read the book.


    Finally reaching Professor Temel''s office, Rin looked around without thinking to knock.


    "What are you doing?"


    "Professor Temel always keeps his door open."


    Saying this, Rin finally knocked on the door.


    "Professor Temel. It''s Rin."


    "..."


    There was no answer. As Rin''s face showed slight disappointment, Leo gently patted her shoulder.


    "He''s not here. Let''s move on to the next one."


    "But..."


    Their next destination was back at the Engineering Department building, heading toward Dr. Gernshvatz''s office. Leo spoke to Rin, who still looked dejected.


    "Dr. Gernshvatz is actually quite nice once you get to know him. When it''s just us, he often praises you, the Library Fairy."


    Calia interjected:


    "But if Professor Temel could take us on, that would be perfect... Can''t we go back and wait a little longer?"


    "No!"


    It was Shulmaier who shouted. His extremely solemn expression prevented both Calia and Rin from mentioning Professor Temel again.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    "Professor! It''s me, Leo!"


    True to his role as Dr. Gernshvatz''s assistant, his knock was unapologetically forceful, as if he might break down the door.


    "Professor! Professor!"


    When there was still no response, Rin asked:


    "Is the Doctor not here either?"


    "No, he should be. Wait."


    Leo waved his hand dismissively and pulled a screwdriver-like tool from his pocket. Ned showed interest.


    "Senior, what''s that?"


    "This?"


    Even while conversing, Leo didn''t stop working, inserting the tool into the keyhole and turning it. With a ''click,'' the door unlocked.


    "A master key."


    "Brother! Can you make one for me too?"


    "Later."


    Leo put his finger to his lips, gesturing for them to be quiet. Then he opened the door. When Rin quietly asked, "Is it okay to just enter like this?" he dismissed her with "Then you stay out," and crept in.


    The remaining five couldn''t bring themselves to follow and waited outside. Shortly after, they heard a loud ''BANG!'' followed by smoke coming from the room, which made them rush in with alarm.


    "Senior Leo! Are you okay?"


    Rin''s concerned voice was buried in the darkness and thick smoke filling the room.


    "Cough! Cough!"


    Leo emerged from the smoke.


    "This guy left the heating equipment on again! That''s the second time this month!"


    As the smoke cleared, various experimental tools covered in some unknown foam were revealed. The group tried to ask questions, but Leo''s continuous cursing made proper conversation impossible until they left the building.


    With Dr. Gernshvatz also absent, it was now time to seek out professors whom Rin didn''t know personally.


    "Should we come back later?"


    Rin asked hopefully, but it was already evening. Leo, who had finally calmed down, spoke in a slightly hoarse voice.


    "Since there''s no deadline, how about we come back tomorrow?"


    Ned said, "I don''t mind approaching professors I don''t know," but Leo shook his head. His opinion was that it''s better in many ways to have a professor they were at least somewhat familiar with. Though their enthusiasm had dampened a bit, the group agreed to meet again the next day, and so they parted ways.


    -To be continued-

 {12}“The Outsider”

    {12}��The Outsider��


    ***


    The next morning. Rin woke up much earlier than usual. After discussing it the previous evening, they realized that the only time everyone was free was early morning before classes. Having hurriedly finished her preparations, Rin descended the spiral library stacks and opened the main entrance. There, she saw Ned and Leo waiting in front. They were standing side by side next to the reclining Baron.


    "Hello, Senior Ned? Hello, Senior Leo?"


    "Good morning, Rin."


    "You''re up, Library Fairy?"


    Rin bowed to Baron who was lying behind the two.


    "Good morning, Baron."


    Baron, as usual, acknowledged her greeting by opening and closing one eye.


    "You''re up early? Where are the others?"


    "They should be coming soon, right? We agreed to meet here."


    Just as Ned said, Calia and Elrunt arrived shortly after. Calia had now adapted well enough to the school that she could calmly greet Baron without any distress. And finally, Leo asked Shulmaier, who was the last to join them:


    "What about the Professor?"


    "..."


    Shulmaier shook his head.


    He had not gone back to the dormitory yesterday but had slept in the laboratory. He was supposed to speak with Professor Gernshvatz about the new club as soon as he returned in the morning.


    "The Professor didn''t come."


    Leo tilted his head curiously.


    "That''s strange. He doesn''t usually sleep elsewhere?"


    They headed back toward the History Department building. While crossing the plaza, they discovered a very large notice posted on the bulletin board. It announced that all classes were canceled today due to an important faculty meeting.


    "Hooray!"


    "This is like a weekend!"


    Students gathered in the plaza cheered at the thought of having their weekend start a day early. An important faculty meeting likely meant a major meeting where most professors would attend. Therefore, searching for professors individually right now would be meaningless. So the group decided to change their plan.


    "Where do they hold the meeting?"


    At Calia''s question, Rin shrugged. She had only lived in the library and knew very little about school affairs. Not just her, but Leo, Ned, and Shulmaier all shook their heads saying they didn''t know either.


    "I think I can figure it out."


    It was Elrunt. How would a new student know?


    "It''s not exact, just an estimation."


    He took out his notebook and quickly sketched a map.


    "The entire Academy grounds look like this. First, let''s eliminate all the classroom buildings. Then the training grounds and research buildings too. That leaves the dormitories, dining hall, library, amphitheater, and the Administration Building. Among these, dormitories, dining hall, and library aren''t suitable for meetings, so that leaves either the amphitheater or the Administration Building."


    Leo nodded.


    "Process of elimination?"


    The group first headed toward the outdoor amphitheater. This decision was based on the difficulty of searching the Administration Building first due to its size. After walking about 10 minutes through the eastern garden from the plaza, they could see the amphitheater in the distance.


    Even from a glance, there were no professors there, only students practicing for a play. They immediately turned around and headed toward the Administration Building. And they first asked about the meeting location at the reception desk.


    "I don''t know."


    The receptionist firmly shook her head.


    "I''ve heard it changes every time."


    Changes every time? Does that mean there''s no dedicated meeting room? Despite their suspicions, they couldn''t extract any more information from the receptionist.


    With no other option, they decided to split up and search the Administration Building. Excluding the first floor with the reception area, they had to search from the second floor to the fourth floor at the top. Rin and Calia would take the second floor, Ned and Elrunt the third floor, and Leo and Shulmaier would go up to the top floor. After sending the others up to the third floor, Rin and Calia remained on the second floor.


    "What now?"


    At Calia''s question, Rin shrugged, saying she didn''t know either.


    "This is my first time here too. We''ll just have to check one by one."


    Unlike the first floor with its central hall and reception desk, the second floor consisted of a long corridor with a succession of rooms. The rooms had no windows, and not knowing which one might be holding the meeting, the two decided to press their ears against each door rather than knocking.


    "It''s quiet here. How about over there?"


    If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    "This one''s quiet too."


    In the end, they checked every visible door to the end of the corridor but found nothing. As they were about to go downstairs after checking the last room, they saw the others also coming down the stairs. Judging by how they were all shaking their heads, it seemed everyone had come up empty-handed.


    According to their accounts, the third floor was as empty as the second, and the fourth floor was completely blocked off, so they just came back down. As everyone started to look mentally exhausted, Leo stepped forward to summarize the situation.


    "Damn it! Let''s call it a day!"


    ***


    That night. Rin woke up to the sound of conversation coming from downstairs. Carefully opening her door and looking down, she saw no one. Given that she could still hear the conversation, it seemed someone must be outside the library.


    ''Who could it be?''


    Though she was scared, she was also curious. Not wanting to be discovered, she didn''t light a lamp and carefully descended along the stacks.


    *...*


    By the time she reached the second floor, she could barely make out the conversation. Rin pressed herself against a window between the bookshelves and carefully looked down.


    ''Professor Temel? Who''s the other person?''


    There stood Professor Temel and another person, a stranger completely covered in a cloak. Judging by how Baron was quietly lying nearby, the stranger wasn''t a complete outsider.


    "...Is it true that they have been moving recently?"


    Professor Temel asked, but the cloaked figure didn''t answer. They probably nodded or made some gesture.


    "After being quiet all this time, suddenly? Exactly which faction has come down?"


    Then a very low and cold male voice emerged from beneath the cloak.


    "The Kunderan Mountains."


    "So it''s Renbania... what are they targeting?"


    "Still under investigation."


    Followers? Factions? Coming down from the mountains? Rin''s mind became confused by this incomprehensible conversation. She wanted to hear more, but afterward, the voices of the two people grew softer, making it difficult to understand.


    As Rin concentrated more on the sound, she realized that she was eavesdropping secretly. Professor Temel wasn''t some suspicious person, and she suddenly found her behavior both amusing and embarrassing.


    ''Right. Instead of doing this, I should just go down and ask directly.''


    With that thought, there was no need to be careful anymore. Rin strode down the spiral stacks and opened the entrance door.


    ''Huh?''


    No one was there. The two people who had been standing there just moments ago had vanished. Baron was lying in his usual place, looking at Rin with just one eye open.


    The next morning. The group gathered again in the Engineering Department meeting room. Rin told them about the strange encounter from the previous night. Each began to offer their own theories.


    "The cloaked figure is probably just another professor."


    It was Elrunt.


    "Is there any need to complicate things?"


    Leo shook his head.


    "It must be an outsider. They were wearing a cloak because it''s still cold."


    Then Ned spoke up.


    "Could Professor Temel be secretly plotting something bad?"


    Both Rin and Calia objected to this.


    "Professor Temel isn''t that kind of person!"


    "..."


    "Do you really not want to read? He''s such a righteous person!"


    They talked for over an hour, but in the end, it was all groundless speculation. That was inevitable given how few clues they had. Shulmaier was the only one among them who hadn''t spoken.


    "Evil creatures."


    That seemed too much of a stretch. Everyone thought Shulmaier was just throwing out random words. Everyone except Elrunt.


    "If it''s evil creatures... perhaps you mean the First Evil-Mortal War?"


    "Mm."


    The First Evil-Mortal War refers to the great war that swept across the Northern Mixed Continent about 60 years ago.


    Everyone found it difficult to understand where Shulmaier''s idea was coming from, no matter how casually he might have mentioned it. Even Leo, his close friend, seemed puzzled.


    "Hey Shulmaier. Even I need an explanation for this one."


    Shulmaier frowned, then took out his notebook and began to write. Why did he dislike speaking so much? It''s not like he couldn''t speak at all.


    Enduring this uncomfortable situation, the group looked at the note, where the writing was extremely brief.


    [Three heroes, killed Evil King, almost all evil creatures died.]


    During the First Evil-Mortal War, the Evil King ''Pastrofen'' led an army of unknown monsters, which people called evil creatures (mamu?).


    Their power was so strong that they devastated more than half of the Northern Continent, including Renbania, in just two years. Here, ''Three Heroes'' refers to three exceptional heroes who appeared in the middle of the war, one of whom is Count Merlen, who is immortalized as the statue in the fountain on campus.


    They succeeded in killing the Evil King in the fifth year of the war, which turned the tide in favor of humans. As a result, most of the Evil King''s army was killed...


    "The rest are said to have fled north."


    Shulmaier''s expression as he solemnly murmured was so serious that no one could respond. So because of the word ''Kunderan Mountains,'' he recalled that? More importantly, if he''s going to be this sparing with both speech and writing, how does he normally communicate with Leo?


    "Shulmaier is..."


    Leo scratched his head and said.


    "...a conspiracy theory enthusiast."


    Shulmaier made an X with his arms to deny it, but Leo smoothly ignored his protest.


    "A while back, he was obsessed with the theory that Baron used to be human, and now it''s the First Evil-Mortal War?"


    Leo pulled out a paper from a small bookshelf in the corner and unfolded it. It was a map of the Mixed Continent.


    He placed his hand on the Northern Continent and searched around.


    "Here it is!"


    His finger pointed to a mountain range at the far eastern end��Kunderan.


    "This is Kunderan."


    Unlike the Southern Continent, which has many diverse countries mixed together, the north has maintained a three-nation system for a long time due to the mountain ranges that divide the continent. The easternmost area connected to the Kunderan Mountains is the Kingdom of Renbania, the middle is the Kingdom of Valserun, and the westernmost is the Republic of Ascalia, where Elvlin Academy is located.


    "Renbania is too far, isn''t it?"


    Leo had argued earlier that the cloaked man was an outsider, but Renbania was a country at the far eastern end. Even traveling as fast as possible would require crossing two great plains and mountain ranges, and following the southern coastal route would take at least a month of travel.


    Why would Professor Temel have someone gather information about something happening so far away? No matter how long they stared at the map, no significant insights emerged. Then Elrunt, whatever he was thinking, walked to the blackboard and wrote something.


    [Who are "they"?]


    "This seems like an important question too, doesn''t it?"


    Indeed. Last night, Professor Temel clearly spoke of "they." He even mentioned that they were moving in the Kunderan Mountains. The mountainous regions of the Northern Mixed Continent are so high and treacherous that they reject human presence. To move around in such places (as Rin experienced earlier this year) would require risking one''s life.


    "So."


    Elrunt looked at Shulmaier in the corner.


    "Are you saying that ''they'' are not humans but evil creatures?"


    Only then did Shulmaier nod with a satisfied smile. Why couldn''t he just explain this from the beginning?


    "But there''s another question."


    Elrunt wrote another sentence.


    [Where did Professor Temel and the cloaked man disappear to?]


    "Rin, do you remember how long it took you to come down from the second floor to the entrance?"


    "Since I was coming down to ask directly, I wasn''t being careful. It probably took less than a minute."


    "That makes it even stranger. They disappeared from around the library in less than a minute?"


    That certainly doesn''t make sense. While an unidentified outsider might be able to move quickly, Professor Temel is elderly and couldn''t possibly move that fast.


    "Baron was there?"


    Rin nodded at Calia''s question. Then Calia asked again with a serious face.


    "Then does Baron... perhaps speak?"


    "Kihik."


    "Hahahahaha."


    Starting with Ned, the meeting room suddenly erupted in laughter. Calia''s face turned red with embarrassment.


    "Hey, it''s possible! He seems to understand everything we say, so I thought I''d ask!"


    "Oh! Wait a minute!"


    Rin was the one who exclaimed. Everyone stopped laughing and looked at her.


    "Why didn''t I think of that?"


    Rin smiled brightly at Calia.


    "You''re right, Calia. We should ask Baron!"


    "...What?"


    -To be continued-

 {13}“First Assignment”

    {13}��First Assignment��


    ***


    "Hello, Baron?"


    Baron replied to Rin''s greeting by opening just one eye as usual.


    "What''s this all about......"


    Ned grumbled. The group was now gathered around Baron. No one still knew what exactly Rin intended to do with the animal.


    "Baron. I''m going to ask you some questions now. Blink once for yes, twice for no. Do you understand?"


    Baron blinked once. Whether he really understood properly was still unclear, but judging by his usual behavior, it somehow seemed like he understood human speech. So everyone was secretly anticipating what would happen next.


    "Did Professor Temel come here last night?"


    Baron blinked once. Rin glanced at the others. Leo gestured for her to continue.


    "Was the person with him someone from our school?"


    This time, exactly twice. Everyone''s faces showed surprise. Baron clearly seemed to understand sentences of this complexity.


    "Then was it an outsider?"


    This time he blinked once. The group exchanged glances and nodded. This level of communication seemed reliable. As Rin was carefully considering her next question, Shulmaier suddenly interrupted.


    "Were they evil creatures?"


    Everyone turned to him with wide eyes. He usually spoke so sparingly, why now of all times? And would Baron even understand such an abbreviated question?


    *BLINK BLINK*


    That must be a no, right? If so, did he properly understand the question just now? Amid the uncertainty, Leo stepped forward next.


    "Then are they people?"


    Instead of answering, Baron turned his gaze away. What does this mean? Everyone was confused by this unexpected reaction. Was Baron just coincidentally blinking at the timing of the questions?


    "Lady Rin!"


    Everyone jumped at the sudden voice. It was none other than Haderian. He walked steadily toward Rin, and Leo and Ned naturally stepped in front of her to block his path.


    "There seems to be a misunderstanding. I''m just trying to greet Baron."


    And then he actually bowed respectfully toward Baron? But Baron had already closed his eyes. And everyone was certain he was pretending to sleep.


    "It''s a beautiful day, Lady Rin. The birds'' chirping sounds like a song just for you."


    "Hey. Can I punch this guy right now?"


    As Leo''s clenched fist was hastily restrained, Rin stepped forward.


    "Ahaha. Hello, Haderian? How are you feeling?"


    "Hmm? Did you just hold this fellow''s hand?"


    Suddenly Haderian drew the sword at his waist. At the same time, Leo shook off Rin and raised his fist.


    "This guy!"


    *CLANG!*


    Somehow Leo''s hand was already fitted with a gauntlet, and he used it to grab Haderian''s sword, putting them in a standoff.


    "So now you''re openly swinging at me?"


    "Don''t worry. I''m attacking freely because it''s you."


    "Both of you calm down and listen to me... Eek!"


    Rin, who was trying to stop them, stumbled when she brushed against Baron, who had suddenly stood up. And Baron moved his body in an instant, biting both Leo''s gauntlet and Haderian''s sword simultaneously with enough force to create sparks, and lifted them up.


    "Huh?"


    "Gasp!"


    Baron''s size was truly enormous, and when he deliberately raised his head, the two had to stand on tiptoe as their arms were pulled upward.


    *.......*


    The two immediately lost their will to fight under Baron''s intense stare. Leo removed his gauntlet, and Haderian let go of his sword.


    "I-I''m sorry!"


    "Forgive me!"


    The two prostrated themselves flat on the ground, begging for forgiveness with extreme politeness that they had never shown to any other academy student.


    Perhaps this was the consequence of daring to fight in front of Baron?


    Hmph!


    Baron blew a strong puff of air through his nose, then dropped the weapons he was holding to the ground. Then, looking at the two, he raised his right front paw.


    Was he going to hit them? Although it seemed strange for a canine animal to hit something with its front paw, the two jumped back in surprise. But then they froze at Baron''s next action.


    The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    ''That''s definitely a hand gesture, right?''


    Though brief, everyone clearly saw it. Baron waving his paw at the two as if shooing them away. It was exactly the same gesture people use when telling someone to go away or get lost.


    "Heehee... We''re sorry, Baron."


    "W-we''ll take our leave now."


    The two hurriedly gathered their things and fled. Surely Leo had been in the middle of an important conversation with the group, and Haderian must have come with his own business, but now they were just busy escaping at top speed. Ned offered a brief comment.


    "...Baron is awesome."


    ***


    After the two left, Baron seemed too bothered to do anything but lie down and try to sleep. As the atmosphere wasn''t right to ask more questions, the group had no choice but to head to the Engineering Department''s laboratory. As expected, Leo had already arrived at the meeting room.


    "Ugh... Is B-Baron resting now?"


    His crouched posture in the corner suggested he still hadn''t calmed down. Ned approached and helped him up.


    "He''s sleeping."


    "R-really?"


    Leo slowly walked over and flopped down in a chair.


    "Whew. Baron is really scary when he''s angry! No joke?"


    Despite saying this, Leo''s hands were still trembling slightly. Baron''s saliva was dripping from the gauntlet in his hand, spread all over his hands and arms, but he didn''t seem to notice. Feeling sorry for him, Rin approached and wiped it off with her handkerchief.


    "Th-thanks. But you saw it too, right? I was only defending myself. It''s unfair."


    "Yes. I know."


    The meeting room was quiet for a while. It was surprising that they could communicate with Baron in such a way, but they had ended up disturbing him. They wouldn''t dare to ask him again for a while. They had only wanted to get approval for their club activity, but somehow things had gotten to this point.


    Bang!


    Everyone''s attention turned to someone hitting the table. It was Calia.


    "Who cares? Let''s start our club activity."


    Calia stood up abruptly.


    "All that approval does is determine whether we get budget support or not, right?"


    Ned chimed in.


    "That makes sense! If we want to do it, we can just start by ourselves?"


    "Hmm."


    Once again being sparing with his words, Shulmaier walked to the blackboard. Then he wrote ''Establishment of the Free Research Club.'' Elrunt wrote the number 1 below it.


    "Then I propose our first project. Let''s investigate the mystery surrounding Professor Temel. All in favor?"


    Everyone raised their hands. The Free Research Club''s official first project was unanimously confirmed as ''The Mystery of Professor Temel.''


    ***


    That evening. All the ''Free Research Club members'' didn''t go to their dormitories but waited in Rin''s room until nightfall. After all the librarians had gone home and the library closed, the members carefully opened the door and came out. The library, with all its lights turned off, was so dark that the interior was barely visible by the faint moonlight coming through the occasional windows on the walls.


    "Let''s go."


    Under Leo''s direction, the members moved stealthily. They had all put strange fur slippers over their shoes, which remarkably made no sound as they walked. Leo muttered with a somewhat satisfied face.


    "The sound-deadening effect of chicken feather clumps is good."


    Even in the darkness, Shulmaier was busy recording something in his notebook. Calia frowned and said.


    "But isn''t the smell too strong?"


    Leo shrugged.


    "Can''t be helped. I collected them from the chicken coop floor."


    Shulmaier, who had been scribbling something, added.


    "It was impossible to completely remove the chicken droppings."


    "......"


    The members stopped at the second floor, just as Rin had done the night before. Then they gathered at the window overlooking Baron. As they each took out the blankets they had brought, Leo said.


    "Now we''ll take turns keeping watch while the rest rest."


    The members nodded seriously, covered themselves with blankets, and lay down. After that, they began their stakeout, taking turns every hour.


    ***


    "Ugh... didn''t we just switch shifts a moment ago?"


    Ned complained in a weak voice as he opened his eyes. Shulmaier, who had just woken him up, warned him to be quiet with a finger. Then he began quietly waking up the others.


    "Mmmm."


    By the time Calia, the last one, woke up, all the members were already pressed against the window. Calia rubbed her sleepy eyes and looked down, where she saw a familiar face standing next to Baron.


    "Professor Sven?"


    "Shh."


    Rin cautioned her to be quiet. It was cramped with six people pressed against one window, but fortunately, they could see everything they needed to. Professor Sven was pacing next to Baron, seemingly waiting for someone.


    As they watched further, they saw someone running very quickly from a distance. It was a man in a cloak. He ran at a speed that was hard to believe was human and stopped silently next to Baron. He even had a strange-shaped large sword on his back.


    ''Is that the person?''


    When Ned asked quietly, Rin nodded.


    ''I think so.''


    The cloaked man talked with Professor Sven for a while, but they both spoke so quietly that nothing could be heard. After talking for some time, they began saying something to Baron.


    Then Baron, who had been lying down, suddenly stood up. After scratching the ground a few times with his front paw, the ground suddenly split open in a square shape and sank downward.


    "Gasp!"


    Calia made a gasping sound, too surprised. Ned beside her hurriedly covered her mouth.


    *CRASH!*


    Suddenly the window in front of them shattered. The startled members stepped back and tripped over something.


    It felt as if a black wind had momentarily swept through. When the members came to their senses, they saw the cloaked man standing on top of the fallen Leo. They had no idea when or how he had moved up there.


    It happened so suddenly that the broken glass pieces were still bouncing around from the impact. A moment later, hurried footsteps were heard as Professor Sven ran up. He opened his eyes wide when he spotted Rin among the students sprawled on the floor.


    "Rin? What are you doing up at this hour instead of sleeping?"


    "Do you know these people?"


    The cloaked man asked in an ominous voice. The professor touched his shoulder and said.


    "They''re my students! Lower your guard!"


    "But they saw the secret passage."


    "Well... that can''t be helped."


    Leo, who was pinned under the man, could see the skull-shaped mark on the man''s shoulder as he regained his senses. As all the members came to, Professor Sven helped them up one by one.


    "Everyone be quiet and follow me."


    The members didn''t understand what was happening, but they exchanged glances and obediently followed. During the move, the cloaked man followed from the very back, watching like a guard.


    When they opened the entrance, they saw Baron standing tall, and the ''secret passage'' open next to him. Professor Sven went down the passage first, and the members followed. There were stairs leading downward in the secret passage, heading in the direction of the library.


    It seemed to lead somewhere under the library. Since they went down without even turning on lights, the passage was soon engulfed in darkness, and the members descended slowly, feeling along the walls and relying on the person in front for quite some time. And finally, Professor Sven stopped.


    "We''re here."


    When the professor opened the door in front, their eyes were briefly blinded by light. On the other side, a familiar face was waiting for the members. It was Professor Chester Riden, who taught mathematics and archery in the Military Studies Department.


    "Professor Riden?"


    "Calia? What brings you here?"


    The interior they entered, guided by Professor Riden, was a very unique space. It looked as if the library above ground had been turned upside down. In the center, what appeared to be the huge root of Grandfather Tree extended downward, and books were arranged along spiral staircases on the walls, just like above.


    The lighting was rather dim, and unlike the trunk above, the roots below not only went through the center but also spread in all directions, penetrating bookshelves here and there. As a result, they had to avoid the roots as they walked along the stacks.


    Other professors were also visible besides Professor Riden.


    Professor Avaine, who taught the Samar language,


    Professor Jeff, who taught ecology,


    Professor Iselin, who taught spirit studies.


    There were also many faces that Rin and the other members didn''t know well. They all seemed surprised to see the students brought by Professor Svetrinaha.


    -To be continued-

 {14}“Root Library”

    {14}��Root Library��


    ***


    The Free Research Club members gathered in one corner of the spiral-arranged archives. Several professors came up from below and sat with them, and Professor Sven was the first to speak.


    "First, I wanted to ask what you were doing here at this hour... Ugh. What is that smell?"


    "..."


    Professor Sven stopped mid-sentence and covered his nose. The club members exchanged glances and only then realized the existence of the chicken droppings��no, chicken feather slippers they were wearing.


    "What in the world do you have on your feet?"


    While the members awkwardly removed their slippers, Rin tried to explain the situation as calmly as possible. But the fact that she hadn''t even thought to take off her own slippers and was still wearing them showed how startled she was.


    Her priority was to prove that their coming here was coincidental. She explained everything from waking up to strange noises last night, coming down to find Professor Temel talking with a stranger, and then returning to ask properly only to find them gone.


    "So Professor Temel went down the passage beneath Baron yesterday?"


    "Yes. More importantly, what were you all doing?"


    "We... were looking for our faculty advisor."


    "Faculty advisor?"


    Rin finally explained that the people gathered here were members of the newly formed Free Research Club, and that they had been looking for a faculty advisor to get approval for their club activities. Due to the absence of potential advisor professors, they had been in a predicament, which led them to stakeout based on Rin''s eyewitness account.


    After hearing the story, the professors exchanged words with each other. Most were critical remarks about what to do with this situation or complaints about how bringing children here after the secret passage was discovered was problematic. Professor Sven calmed them down.


    "Now, now. I understand everyone''s concerns. But I can vouch for the identity of the children here."


    When Professor Sven, already known for his seriousness in everything, spoke in an even more solemn tone than usual, the confused atmosphere quickly subsided.


    "We''ve heard the students'' circumstances, now we should tell them ours. These children must be quite frightened right now."


    "..."


    When none of the professors objected, Professor Sven took a deep breath with a "Whew." Then he addressed the huddled club members who were glancing around nervously.


    "This is the oldest existing library."


    He illuminated the center with the lamp in his hand. The shape of the roots, which had been hard to see in the darkness until now, was revealed. There sat what appeared to be a very old man, but it wasn''t actually an old man.


    "Gasp!"


    Rin drew in a startled breath. The other members were equally surprised. What they had initially thought was an old man was an elderly figure meticulously formed by the tree''s fine roots and ancient vines intertwined with each other. The problem was that it was now moving.


    "That''s the hidden form of Grandfather Tree."


    Professor Sven said calmly.


    *RUSTLE*


    The elderly figure continued to move its hands. From the book it was holding, it seemed to be constantly writing something.


    "All he does is record."


    "Record? What does he record?"


    To Rin''s question, Professor Svetrinaha seemed to contemplate for a moment.


    "Hmm... let''s say the big and small events occurring throughout the continent?"


    At that, Calia clapped her hands as if realizing something.


    "Aha! So the professors collect the events to be recorded and inform him?"


    Professor Sven shook his head.


    "You''re quite perceptive, Miss Lux."


    When her family name was suddenly mentioned so casually, Calia''s shoulders stiffened.


    "But your guess is the opposite. He only records, and we collect it."


    Then Leo interrupted.


    "Huh? What does that mean?"


    Professor Sven slowly began to tell the story. The past of Elvlin Academy as he knew it, and as the professors here knew it.


    ***


    Nobody knows the exact age of Grandfather Tree. The tree has been rooted and living near the Lunian Mountains of Ascalia for a very long time.


    Early on, Grandfather Tree''s existence was only known among some ecologists merely as an old big tree that showed above ground. Then, right after the First Evil-Mortal War ended, when the Northern Mixed Continent was busy with post-war reconstruction, a scholar named Elvlin discovered the hidden appearance of this ancient tree by chance.


    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    "The headmaster?"


    Professor Svetrinaha nodded at Rin''s question.


    "Yes. The current headmaster."


    The young Elvlin was originally a magic scholar. His main interest was searching for traces of the ancient magical kingdom ''Ajurat'' civilization left throughout the continent, excavating and collecting forgotten ancient magic.


    Finding the hidden library beneath Grandfather Tree would have been impossible if he had been merely a scholar studying ecology or geology.


    He named the place hidden underground ''Root Library.'' In this Root Library, there was a very ancient recorder that appeared to be a type of ancient spirit magic. Its life force was connected to Grandfather Tree, and without responding to any stimulus from its surroundings, it only repeated the act of recording.


    The records were written in an ancient language and documented big and small events that occurred throughout the Mixed Continent in chronological order. It was ultimately impossible to know by what principle the information was collected and selected.


    However, through Elvlin''s extended research, he was able to determine at least that it was based on powerful magic and that it was highly accurate.


    By then, many traces of the First Evil-Mortal War had disappeared, and new villages and cities were being built on the ruins.


    As people''s living areas expanded as before, Elvlin decided to protect this ancient relic located in this remote forest.


    So he built a structure similar to the Root Library above ground and filled it with personal books to disguise it as an ordinary library. And since that alone might seem suspicious, he went so far as to establish a school using his personal fortune.


    When that was mentioned, there were gasps from all around.


    "Personal fortune?"


    Ned was aghast.


    "Just how much wealth did he have to build a school this large?"


    The gathered professors exchanged glances. Professor Svetrinaha patted Ned''s shoulder and shook his head.


    "Detailed stories about the headmaster are confidential."


    "Why?"


    "Because there''s a non-disclosure clause in our employment contract."


    "Ah, I see."


    At first, since the school was simply built as a cover, not much attention was paid to its operation. The faculty consisted of only about five or six professors, the number of new students each year did not exceed twenty, and there were only a few people managing the facilities.


    The club members who were listening had questions at this point. This is because the current Elvlin Academy, while not the best on the continent, is at least a well-known prestigious institution in the Republic of Ascalia, a country of academics and commerce.


    Eventually, Calia, the quickest to act, raised her hand again.


    "Is there a reason why the school suddenly became successful?"


    "Money."


    The one who answered was a slender man who appeared to be in his mid-40s. Calia had never seen him before.


    "What? Excuse me, who are..."


    "Ah. First-years probably don''t know me well. I''m Professor Libtain, who teaches Commerce and Trade."


    One day, the headmaster thought that things couldn''t continue this way. For some reason, he suddenly started thinking about the students. At this point, Rin raised her hand.


    "So before that, he didn''t think about the students?"


    "At least from what I''ve heard... yes. He wasn''t particularly interested."


    Anyway, the school''s operation policy changed due to the headmaster''s whim, but unfortunately, there wasn''t enough money to reform the school.


    So, contrary to what had been done until then, he began to leak information throughout the continent.


    Information about the Root Library.


    This was ''intelligence'' cleverly inserted to flow only among high-ranking officials of each country through carefully selected informants. Thus, they succeeded in securing several clients in the Northern Continent and began a business of sharing the Root Library''s information exclusively with them.


    "Can we read it?"


    To Rin''s question, Professor Riden, who was standing next to her, picked up a book from the wall.


    "Anyone can read it. The recorder doesn''t interfere with whoever opens this."


    The book he showed had unfamiliar characters densely written on each page.


    "Just that you need to know how to read the ancient language and..."


    Professor Riden closed the book and placed it carelessly on the floor. Suddenly, Grandfather Tree''s fine roots, which were spread in all directions, began to move.


    "Eek!"


    "Gasp!"


    Seeing it in the dim light, it looked like thousands of snakes writhing, which terrified the club members.


    *RUSTLE*


    The fine roots bunched together like human hands, picked up the book placed on the floor, and put it back in its original position. Professor Riden ran his hand over the tidied book as if nothing had happened.


    "The books can only be read inside here. These are the two conditions."


    Professor Riden now looked at Professor Sven.


    "Since Professor Svetrinaha has already explained the general details, I trusted that and spoke as well. Is this really okay?"


    Professor Sven nodded.


    "I was also surprised at first, but the children here are trustworthy. Rin, whom everyone knows well, needs no mention, and Calia, daughter of the Holy Knights'' Commander, and Ned''s father, Gillien, also have deep connections with our academy."


    Ned jumped in surprise at those words.


    "You knew who I was?"


    "It''s only known among Root Library readers, so don''t worry too much."


    "Oh?"


    Leo showed sudden interest and asked.


    "What is this ''Root Library reader''?"


    "It literally means people who have the authority to read this Root Library."


    "How do you get that qualification?"


    "It''s decided through internal meetings among professors."


    "Can we apply too?"


    At that, all the surrounding professors, including Professor Sven, put on serious expressions.


    "Well... usually students spend their time here without even knowing of this place''s existence until graduation."


    Rin suddenly noticed something strange in the professor''s words.


    "You just said ''usually''? Does that mean there have been cases like this before?"


    "That''s right."


    Professor Sven seemed to be trying to recall something, tapping his forehead with his finger for quite some time.


    "That... was it Jenko Egain? Is that right?"


    Some of the older professors nodded. Calia suddenly realized that the name was identical to the current headmaster of Ascalia''s top institution, ''Loarnian Academy,'' but she didn''t mention it out loud.


    "Anyway, that student also found out about this secret. Did we give that student reading rights?"


    Then, from below, a voice very familiar to Rin, Leo, and Shulmaier was heard.


    "Ahem! You did!"


    "Doctor!"


    Leo jumped up. The one coming up leisurely from the lower floor was none other than Doctor Gernshvatz.


    "I was wondering where you disappeared to, but you were here!"


    "Sorry, sorry. I don''t come here often, but once I do, I lose track of time."


    To the doctor who was scratching his head and smiling, Professor Sven asked.


    "By the way, Doctor. That student Jenko was almost from the academy''s founding era, how do you know about it?"


    "Huh? Sven. You must have forgotten because it''s been too long, but the headmaster hired me specifically to teach that kid."


    "Ah, was that so? I''m getting fuzzy."


    Just then, an eerie voice came from behind. It was the man in the cloak.


    "I try to stay out of the affairs of this place as much as possible, but how will you handle these children?"


    At the word ''handle,'' all the club members tensed up. Until now, they had forgotten because the professors old enough to be their grandfathers had been talking kindly, but putting it all together, they had learned quite a significant secret.


    The professors had honestly told the story to calm the frightened students, but it seemed to have made them even more scared. Even Leo, who seemed fearless, suddenly became quiet, perhaps remembering the skills the cloaked man had just displayed.


    "I don''t know what books you usually read, but we don''t harm people over something like this. The fact that we brought you here like this means we trust you to some extent."


    Professor Sven tried to reassure them in the kindest voice possible, but judging by their expressions, it didn''t seem to be working.


    "Alright. Then right here, we''ll conduct your ''Root Library reading rights'' license examination."


    "Professor Svetrinaha! Is that okay?"


    When Professor Riden asked with concern in his voice, Professor Sven looked each of the Free Research Club members in the eye.


    "It''s fine. The headmaster already knows about this."


    "What? How would the headmaster know that?"


    "...There are ways of knowing everything."


    -To be continued-

 {15}“Professor Lorentar”

    {15}��Professor Lorentar��


    ***


    "El Talmia. The name means ''the place that precedes light.'' Located in the center of the Empire, it is the most developed area for manufacturing and commerce, home to numerous prestigious academies of the south, and also the location of Sian''s largest armory, which is said to be capable of producing ten thousand swords in a single day..."


    Professor Sven''s voice during the lecture was no different than usual. To Rin, everything that happened over the weekend still felt like a dream. She could barely remember how she had escaped from there, it had all been so chaotic.


    "And so, El Talmia rightfully earned its nickname as the Second Capital of the Sian Empire..."


    Rin couldn''t focus at all on the professor''s writing on the blackboard. Looking at Calia in the seat next to her, she seemed to be recalling yesterday''s events as well.


    ***


    Many professors came forward to oppose giving Root Library reading rights to the Free Research Club members.


    "That''s out of the question, Professor Sven!"


    "Even if the headmaster knows about this, it''s a different matter entirely!"


    The once-quiet Root Library became noisy with the professors'' strong objections. The opposing views were reasonable. Or rather, they seemed more normal.


    Sharing the long-kept secret of the Root Library with mere students, especially with young children including many freshmen, seemed inappropriate even to the club members themselves. They couldn''t understand what Professor Sven was thinking.


    Moreover, they were a newly established, unofficial club without even an advisor professor yet��there were too many flaws from the school''s perspective. The professors were having a loud discussion a bit away from the members. Leo, glancing nervously at the cloaked man blocking the passage, said:


    "Hey. Calia."


    "Yes?"


    Here it comes. Calia broke into a cold sweat. As expected, Leo remembered exactly what he had heard earlier.


    "You''re the daughter of the Holy Knights'' Commander?"


    "Yes..."


    Next to Calia, who wore an anxious expression, Ned was nervously fidgeting his leg. Of course, Leo addressed him too.


    "And you''re affiliated with the Laurenta Thieves'' Guild?"


    "Yeah... but I really had no choice but to hide it, you know?"


    "Right, right. Complicated for both of you."


    Shortly after, the professors'' voices quieted down and it became silent again. A decision had been reached. The professors approached just as the club members had sensed.


    Professor Sven handed the members a paper he was holding. It was a kind of document with the title ''Confidentiality Agreement'' at the top.


    "I''ve discussed with the other professors."


    The professor took out pens and distributed them to the members.


    "Read it carefully and sign. Once you all sign, access to this place will be granted."


    The document''s content was simple: Do not disclose the existence of the Root Library to outsiders; violation would result in a penalty fee "one hundred times the enrollment fee paid upon admission"; and Root Library access is only permitted after midnight. After reading all the clauses, Ned clicked his tongue.


    "One hundred times the tuition? That means absolutely no disclosure, right?"


    Surprisingly, all members signed without much deliberation. Since things had come to this, they thought they might as well fully explore this fascinating library. After carefully checking all the signatures, Professor Sven raised his index finger.


    "And there''s one more condition."


    At that moment, an elderly man whom they had never seen before walked out from behind the professor. He was quite tall, and his hair and bushy beard were completely white, suggesting his advanced age. Perhaps due to the dim light, his pupils seemed sometimes blue, sometimes red.


    "Let me introduce you. This is Professor Lorentar, who has newly arrived."


    "Nice to meet you, students. I am Lorentar."


    Though clearly an old man''s voice, it had tremendous resonance and strength. Professor Sven''s explanation followed immediately.


    "He may not be well-known to the public, but among scholars, he is a distinguished figure. He came to the academy at the beginning of this month with the purpose of accessing the Root Library."


    "Hello?"


    "Nice to meet you."


    The club members awkwardly greeted Professor Lorentar. But why had he been introduced so suddenly?


    "That one additional condition is that you accept Professor Lorentar here as your faculty advisor."


    "?!"


    Reading the surprised faces of the club members, Professor Lorentar smiled reassuringly.


    "Ho ho. Don''t be tense, everyone. I''m just here as a supervisor."


    Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    "..."


    ***


    "Miss Rin."


    "..."


    "Rin?"


    "Yes?"


    Rin snapped out of her reverie at Professor Sven''s voice. Looking at the blackboard filled with writing, she realized that the class was almost over.


    "Is something wrong? You haven''t been able to concentrate at all."


    "I''m sorry."


    Rin''s face reddened as she hurriedly began copying the notes from the board. This was in stark contrast to Professor Sven, who was behaving no differently than during any other class.


    "Rin. Are you alright?"


    As soon as the class ended, Calia asked.


    "You barely took any notes, right?"


    "You too? What should we do now?"


    Hearing their concerns, Elrunt approached and offered his notebook.


    "You can look at mine."


    Seeing the meticulously written notes, Rin exclaimed in admiration.


    "Wow! You''re so composed even after everything that happened?"


    "That''s that, and this is this."


    The three headed together toward the Engineering Department building. Their official Free Research Club meeting "supervised by the faculty advisor" was scheduled to be held in the conference room there.


    Though still confused by last night''s events, as Elrunt had said, that was that and this was this. For now, their immediate task was to diligently fulfill the contract and additional conditions.


    Leo and Shulmaier were already in the conference room as usual. Ned arrived shortly after Rin''s group. After everyone had gathered, about 30 minutes passed.


    With one minute left until the appointed time, Ned, growing impatient, nervously fidgeted his leg.


    "Did he forget?"


    Rin shook her head.


    "He was introduced as a distinguished scholar. He must be punctual."


    In response, Leo made an X shape by crossing his hands.


    "Distinguished? Gernshvatz is also supposedly ''distinguished'' in the engineering field. But I''ve never seen that man keep an appointment on time."


    *CLICK*


    At that moment, the door opened and Professor Lorentar, whom they had met last night, entered.


    "I prefer neither arriving too early nor too late."


    In the bright light, unlike last night''s dimness, they could see that his eyes were peculiarly purple. He wore a very spacious gray robe and, oddly, a monocle. With his long, full hair, bushy beard, and tall stature, when he entered, the conference room felt completely filled.


    The club members stood up as if performing a "stand at attention," though no one had instructed them to do so.


    "Please, sit comfortably. I''m merely supervising... excuse me, observing. Pretend I''m not here and freely discuss whatever you wish."


    "..."


    At this statement, worthy of an award for most intimidating reassurance if such a thing existed, everyone began the meeting with utmost tension. First, Rin came forward and cleared the blackboard. She erased the ''1'' from ''Project 1'' and also erased the words ''Professor Temel Mystery'' below it.


    "The question regarding Professor Temel that I proposed last week has been completely resolved as of last night, so I''m terminating it."


    The members had no reason to object, so they all agreed.


    "Interesting."


    Professor Lorentar interjected.


    "What kind of group are you all, exactly?"


    Shulmaier immediately answered.


    "Historical research."


    "Historical research? The name didn''t give me that impression."


    As the professor tilted his head in confusion, Ned raised his hand this time.


    "It''s about traveling for historical research."


    "Traveling?"


    Calia also spoke up.


    "While helping people who are in trouble."


    "People in trouble?"


    Then Leo picked up a gauntlet that was haphazardly placed on the conference table.


    "Also to test inventions like this."


    "Quite confusing, but that''s a remarkably intricate piece."


    When Professor Lorentar showed interest, Leo and Shulmaier''s expressions brightened. And a conversation just between them began.


    Though they hadn''t heard about Professor Lorentar''s field of specialization, seeing him discuss machinery continuously with the two top students from the Engineering Department, it must surely be engineering-related. After a full hour of explanation about the "Justice Enforcement Machine No. 13," Professor Lorentar''s questions finally stopped.


    Judging from Leo and Shulmaier''s expressions, these two had already opened their hearts completely.


    "And chess can''t be left out."


    At this sudden mention of chess, Professor Lorentar adjusted his monocle.


    "...And you are?"


    "I''m Elrunt, a freshman."


    "Hmm. Elrunt, you say?"


    "Yes."


    "You''re certain your name is Elrunt?"


    "Yes. I am Elrunt."


    "Hmm..."


    "..."


    For a moment, there was an inexplicable staring contest between the two.


    "Well, fine. But chess is too limited, so how about broadening the scope to ''tactical studies''?"


    "Ah! That''s great!"


    Rin clapped her hands in delight.


    "If we do that..."


    She drew arrows from the scattered words written on the blackboard to bring them together, and then wrote a new sentence:


    [Travel to ruins for historical research, while tactically helping people in trouble, simultaneously testing inventions.]


    "How is it? Everything''s combined now!"


    Though still a confusing sentence, Rin seemed quite satisfied that they could now incorporate the element of "chess" that had been floating around all of last week.


    ***


    After the faculty advisor''s first observation ended, everyone went their separate ways. As usual, only Leo and Shulmaier remained in the Engineering Department building. Under the lamplight, Leo was busily wiping Baron''s saliva off the Justice Enforcement Machine No. 13 when he suddenly looked up.


    "Shulmaier."


    "..."


    "It''s just the two of us, so talk."


    "What."


    "What do you think of Professor Lorentar?"


    "Pass."


    "I thought so too."


    The two fell silent again. Leo began tightening the loose parts of the gauntlet, and Shulmaier started to unfold the blueprints for modifications.


    ***


    Instead of returning to his dormitory, Ned walked in the direction where Professor Lorentar had disappeared. After running along the path, he spotted Professor Lorentar in the distance. Ned slowed his pace and began to walk carefully. Suddenly, the professor disappeared between the trees. Startled, Ned immediately turned around and started running.


    ''How strange? There''s no way he could have spotted me from this distance?''


    He ran for a while before ducking into the forest. Then he leaned against a nearby tree trunk, gasping for breath.


    "Why did you follow me?"


    "Ah!"


    As Professor Lorentar appeared right next to him, Ned slumped to the ground. The professor extended a hand.


    "When you follow so obviously, it makes me want to play tricks."


    Ned took the professor''s hand and stood up.


    "I''m sorry. There was something I wanted to confirm."


    "I thought as much. Indeed, one can''t deceive someone from that guild."


    ***


    Calia decided to stay in Rin''s room that night. She had come fully prepared with pajamas and a pillow, and now lay down on the bedding Rin had laid out on the floor.


    "Rin."


    "Yes."


    "What do you think Professor Lorentar''s field is?"


    "I don''t know? Engineering, maybe?"


    "There''s something unusual about him."


    "Unusual? In what way?"


    Calia plucked a feather sticking out from her pillow and twirled it.


    "I grew up in the Holy Knights, you know? I''ve seen all kinds of people there..."


    "Yes."


    "That professor doesn''t feel like an engineer, but more like... a magician."


    "A magician?"


    "Yes."


    Rin tilted her head.


    "What does it mean to feel like a magician?"


    "Similar to an engineer, but somehow... more transcendent?"


    "Ah! I think I know what you mean!"


    "Really?"


    Rin hugged the teddy bear that had been leaning against the wall and said:


    "Now that you mention it, he does feel similar to our headmaster. Our headmaster is a magician too."


    "...The headmaster is a magician?"


    "You didn''t know?"


    "..."


    ***


    On top of the high roof of the academy''s main building, an elderly man in a robe climbed up. With white hair that shone brightly even in the darkness, it was Professor Lorentar.


    "I''ve arrived."


    Where Lorentar''s gaze stopped, there sat an old man dressed in a lavish purple robe, wearing a hat shaped like a basket. He was quietly looking down at the campus grounds at night.


    "Has it been 10 years, or 20 years? What name are you using now?"


    To the old man''s question, the professor quietly answered:


    "Lorentar."


    "I see. A name befitting you."


    Professor Lorentar approached and sat down next to the old man.


    "Have you been well, Elvlin?"


    -To be continued-

 {16}“Leos Conspiracy”

    {16}��Leo''s Conspiracy��


    ***


    "What? What did Senior Leo just say...?"


    Ned quickly covered Calia''s mouth as she asked the question.


    The two were currently lying flat on a roof, and below them, Leo and Haderian were clearly visible. Even at a glance, they appeared to be engaged in some sort of secretive conversation.


    ''Don''t talk so loudly even from this distance.''


    Calia reluctantly nodded at Ned''s warning.


    There was a reasonable explanation for this unexpected and bold espionage...


    ***


    Three days had passed since they received permission to establish the Free Research Club. During that time, the members had been using the Engineering Department''s conference room as their club room, with some members showing up and others not. However, once midnight passed, everyone would gather in front of the library as if by some unspoken agreement. Past the secret passage under Baron, they would reach the Root Library. That''s where the members'' special study group was held.


    "You came today too."


    The members greeted Professor Antoine, who welcomed them warmly. After settling down in a suitable spot in the circular stacks of the Root Library, they sat in a circle around a thick book that Rin had brought. The cover of the book had the title ''Introduction to Ajurat Script Decipherment.'' The members began copying the character chart on the first page into their own notebooks.


    The script they were studying was from the ancient kingdom of ''Ajurat,'' now extinct, and was essential knowledge for many archaeologists and linguists.


    Although the characters, pronunciations, and translation methods had been largely discovered, it was a script rarely used by anyone other than researchers. The members'' reason for starting this unfamiliar study was obviously for reading the Root Library, as all its records were written in the ancient language.


    "It''s really surprising that you came too."


    Calia''s comment was directed at Ned. Ned shrugged his shoulders as usual.


    "Even I find this interesting."


    The members spent time repeatedly copying the characters into their notebooks and mumbling the pronunciations. Aside from Ned occasionally glancing at other members'' notebooks, everyone was focused, and the only sounds were the scratching of pencils on paper and soft muttering.


    This midnight study group consistently continued for about an hour each night. Rin and Shulmaier had the best attendance, followed by Leo, Elrunt, and Calia. Ned, despite claiming interest, had increasingly poor attendance until he eventually showed up only about once every four days.


    During the day, they mostly gathered in the Engineering Department''s conference room, but other than Rin and Calia playing chess with Elrunt, there weren''t many club activities.


    Perhaps that''s why?


    The subtle change in Leo''s behavior caught the attention of the other members.


    Considering his usual demeanor, it might not seem unusual to see him sketching and erasing things repeatedly with a serious expression. However, whenever a member tried to take a peek out of curiosity, he would quickly hide it with a "Don''t look!" which only aroused more curiosity. Everyone initially thought nothing of it, but after this behavior continued for several days...


    "I can''t stand this anymore!"


    At a meeting where Leo happened to be absent, Calia suddenly exclaimed. There was no preamble, but everyone immediately understood and nodded. Leo had recently been avoiding conversation with others and seemed to be struggling with something on his own.


    It was serious enough that even Shulmaier, who rarely spoke, opened his mouth.


    "Leo. Won''t talk to me either."


    He wrote in large letters on the blackboard:


    [Leo''s Conspiracy]


    "Oh, come on. ''Conspiracy'' is too much."


    After saying that, Ned came forward and added the word ''Surveillance.'' Seeing this, Calia snorted.


    "Hey! Just like someone from a thieves'' guild!"


    But Elrunt shook his head.


    "He keeps avoiding the question whenever I ask him directly. I think surveillance is our only option."


    He then looked at Rin.


    "What do you think? Surveillance. Doesn''t it sound fun?"


    Rin looked slightly flustered before giving a shy smile.


    "Me? I''ve never done surveillance before..."


    ***


    "Leo has incredibly good instincts."


    On a path within the Academy grounds, the members were listening to Ned''s explanation.


    "I''ve tailed him a few times before and almost got caught. His awareness level is practically that of a wild animal, regardless of what he''s thinking about."


    The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    As he spoke, he demonstrated how to walk slowly, starting with the toes.


    "The basics are to move slowly like this, with your toes touching the ground first. This way, you can make almost no sound."


    The members each tried to imitate Ned''s movements. However, the forest path was littered with fallen leaves, twigs, and stones, creating a lot of rustling noises.


    Calia furrowed her brows.


    "Why doesn''t mine work like yours?"


    Ned demonstrated again and said:


    "The important thing is to push slightly forward with your toes before they touch the ground."


    "Push? Wouldn''t that create noise when they drag?"


    "No, I mean to clear away. Slightly, very slightly push aside anything that might make noise, secure a safe spot to step, and then place your foot down completely."


    Sure enough, Ned''s toes were pushing the surface slightly forward before touching the ground. The movement was visibly displacing small stones and leaves. Calia tried to follow carefully, but the disturbing rustling sound persisted.


    "Is this really helpful for surveillance? How often do you need to follow someone in a forest?"


    Ned wagged his finger in denial.


    "Training should always be thorough."


    "...Aren''t thieves and thoroughness rather distant concepts?"


    ***


    "Someone''s looking for me?"


    Haderian, who had been swinging his sword at the training grounds, stopped his strike upon hearing the news.


    "That Leo guy."


    "Hmm? Leo?"


    Haderian, still gripping his sword, left the training grounds with a tense expression.


    "Hey there! Haderian!"


    Leaning against the main gate was indeed Leo.


    "Grr! You, Leo!"


    As soon as he saw him, Haderian''s face hardened, and he raised his sword in a defensive posture. Leo, as if he had been waiting for this, charged forward with his gauntlet.


    *CLANG!*


    A loud noise rang out as metal hit metal, and sparks from the friction between the gauntlet and sword flew dramatically to the ground.


    The two locked in a stalemate, neither willing to back down even slightly. Beyond Haderian''s trembling sword, Leo''s face could be seen, equally exerting himself.


    "Oops! This isn''t right."


    "Ugh! What''s not right?"


    "Let''s talk!"


    "Talk? In this state?"


    And at this moment, the Free Research Club members were watching the entire situation. Well, just Ned and Calia to be precise. The members had set out to find Leo as soon as Ned''s impromptu training ended, and they had discovered and followed him for about 20 minutes.


    From the Swordsmanship Department''s training grounds onwards, they needed to be agile to avoid detection, climbing over walls and crossing rooftops. So Rin, Shulmaier, and Elrunt were left behind, while Ned and Calia continued. Calia surprised Ned with her nimble movements, requiring no additional help. The two climbed onto a warehouse roof and quietly began their surveillance.


    At first, Leo and Haderian squared off as usual upon meeting. This was normal if anything could be considered normal.


    But suddenly Leo said, "Let''s talk," and after that, they really did just keep talking? This went on for 30 minutes. Calia, who had never before had to lie uncomfortably on a dirty roof for so long, almost shouted out loud due to her diminishing patience.


    ***


    And so, back to the present.


    "What? What did Senior Leo just say...?"


    Ned quickly covered Calia''s mouth as she asked the question.


    ''Don''t talk so loudly even from this distance.''


    Calia reluctantly nodded at Ned''s warning. The conversation between the two men below continued for quite some time.


    Every time Leo said something, Haderian would flinch in surprise, and each time this happened, Calia would complain, only to be silenced by Ned''s hand over her mouth.


    As time passed, Haderian gradually regained his composure, in contrast to Calia who was losing her patience. Then suddenly, he extended his hand forward. Leo grasped it and slowly shook hands, nodding his head. Haderian also nodded with a meaningful expression. Calia whispered quietly to Ned.


    ''What is this? What does it mean?''


    ''It looks like they made some kind of deal.''


    ''A deal?''


    ''Let''s talk at the club room. First, we need to retreat without being detected.''


    The retreat was easier than expected. Even though it was a training ground, it was still just a student facility with no surveillance, and while the infiltration process involved climbing high obstacles, getting out just required jumping down lightly. The two rejoined the remaining three who had been keeping watch at the bottom of the wall, and headed toward the library instead of the Engineering Department building to avoid Leo.


    ***


    The top of the library, Rin''s room. When the five gathered around the table, the room was completely full.


    "So, what was the content?"


    Elrunt was the first to speak. Calia shook her head, saying, "We were too far away to hear," but Ned, on the contrary, held his head up stiffly.


    "I learned ''lip-reading'' so I can understand just by looking at lip movements!"


    The members responded with praise: "As expected of a thieves'' guild member!"


    "So what was the content?"


    At the repeated question, Ned wrote a few words in a notebook on the table.


    [New, Experiment, Rin, Deal]


    "What is this?"


    To Calia''s question, Ned scratched his head.


    "That''s all I could make out... ouch!"


    The scream at the end was due to Calia pinching the back of his hand. Rin pulled the notebook toward herself and said:


    "Anyway, we can only speculate based on this for now."


    "That''s right."


    Elrunt agreed.


    "It seems that the words ''new'' and ''experiment'' here might be related."


    They connected words as they usually did, added new words to branch out, and drew several assumptions. Their hypotheses were as follows:


    [Hypothesis 1: Leo wants to conduct a new experiment, and needs Haderian''s cooperation. He proposed Rin as a bargaining chip for this.]


    Shulmaier strongly denied this.


    "Leo. Not that much of a jerk."


    It was a somewhat ambiguous defense. It sounded like "He''s almost a jerk, but not quite," which was subtle, but it was definitely a denial.


    [Hypothesis 2: The new experiment requires Rin, but Leo judged that she wouldn''t cooperate willingly. So he hired Haderian as an intimidation factor to force compliance. A monetary transaction followed.]


    Shulmaier had nothing to say about this hypothesis 2. So all the members tilted their heads in confusion. Does this mean it''s acceptable? What exactly is his moral standard?


    [Hypothesis 3: In fact, they have been making deals continuously from before, and this new deal targets Rin and is related to Leo''s experiment.]


    This time, Ned shook his head.


    "This is a complete conspiracy theory. I know from often ''promoting'' such rumors in the guild, and these are almost always nonsense."


    [Hypothesis 4: Leo is planning an experiment to create a new Rin. So he made a deal with Haderian, who would inevitably be interested in such an experiment.]


    As everyone was about to comment on this seemingly far-fetched hypothesis, suddenly there was the sound of a doorknob turning.


    *CLICK*


    The person who opened the door was none other than Leo.


    In this unexpected situation, everyone froze. Leo calmly walked over and looked at the notebook on the table. He quickly moved his eyes and instantly grasped the situation.


    "Hehehe! All wrong!"


    He shouted toward the door.


    "Hey! Come in!"


    Then a sturdy man with a sword on his back, Haderian, entered. Everyone was once again shocked into silence. And Haderian''s subsequent statement was even more shocking.


    "Nice to meet you. I''m Haderian, hoping to join the club."


    "What?"


    "What?"


    As everyone jumped up and started stammering their own responses, Rin''s small room instantly fell into chaos. As usual, Haderian showed excessive respect to Rin, who felt uncomfortable and hid in a corner, while Calia blocked his way, creating tension.


    In addition, Ned instinctively took a defensive posture following Calia, Elrunt checked if his chess set was safe amid the confusion, and meanwhile, Shulmaier was meticulously marking X''s on the hypotheses written in the notebook.


    Next to him, Leo, who was carefully reading the notebook, muttered.


    "...Create a new Rin? What does that even mean?"


    -To be continued-

 {17}“Hospital Visit”

    {17}��Hospital Visit��


    ***


    "Opposed! Absolutely opposed!"


    Calia raised her hand in strong protest. In the middle of the table in Rin''s room, a notebook displayed the words ''Haderian Membership Evaluation'' in large letters. Seeing Calia''s determined expression, Leo clicked his tongue.


    "Tsk. You oppose right off the bat?"


    Shulmaier had an unusually serious expression (slightly distorted compared to his usual expressionless face) as he grabbed Leo''s shoulder.


    "I oppose."


    "It''s fine, it''s fine."


    Leo smiled with his characteristic wide-open left eye.


    "You''re still anxious even seeing this refreshing smile? Heheh."


    With his signature uneven eyes and a mouth split almost to his ears, it was a smile that momentarily resembled a madman''s. Honestly, seeing it was enough to make anyone anxious who wasn''t already. Haderian pounded his chest with his fist and raised his chin.


    "For Lady Rin, this body! Would jump into a cesspool!"


    His vulgar vocabulary was partly due to having lived at the bottom of society for a long time, begging for food while crossing the desert at a young age. Leo grabbed Haderian''s shoulder firmly.


    "That ridiculous oath isn''t helping the current situation."


    Leo had everyone sit down first. Their gazes still looked confused, but once their bodies were settled, their minds seemed to calm down considerably.


    "Everyone''s attention!"


    Leo pulled out a small doll from his chest, and naturally, all eyes focused on it.


    "Let me introduce! This is the concept model of the next-generation Justice Enforcement Machine!"


    The doll was about a palm''s height, covered in armor that resembled a knight. It was holding a sword smaller than a fork in both hands, with a long thread attached to its back��a contradictory impression of something both crude and precise.


    "Look carefully. This is how it..."


    Though it was puzzling why he suddenly started explaining his invention, everyone quieted down since it was an interesting object.


    *THUD*


    A dull sound was heard when Leo placed the small knight model on the table. Elrunt adjusted his glasses and asked:


    "What''s inside it?"


    "I filled the feet with lead. Otherwise, no matter how much I reduced the gunpowder, it couldn''t stand properly."


    "G-gunpowder?"


    Everyone jumped up in shock at the mention of gunpowder.


    "Whoa, whoa, calm down. I really only put in a tiny bit, it''s fine."


    "..."


    "..."


    As everyone was backing away cautiously, Leo seemed to decide it wasn''t working and directly pressed the end of the thread connected to the doll.


    "You cowards! Fire!"


    *Bang!*


    "Kyaaah!"


    "Aack!"


    Ironically, only Calia and Ned screamed.


    Shulmaier didn''t even blink at this level of explosion, having spent time with Leo. Rin had also become rather strong-hearted after seeing plenty of Professor Gernshvatz''s inventions during the previous academic investigation. And Elrunt had actually moved closer to the doll, his curiosity apparently outweighing his fear.


    "Still amazing to see."


    Haderian was looking at the doll with admiring eyes.


    "Despite being so small, it perfectly reproduces the charging slash motion."


    Indeed. When Leo pressed the small button earlier, something exploded from the small doll, and it sprang forward as if alive, swinging its sword. Seeing the awe in the club members'' eyes, Leo shrugged.


    "This guy has used that move on me so many times that I''ve memorized it completely."


    Rin, who had maintained her composure, had also watched the demonstration carefully. Though there were many curious and fascinating points, that wasn''t what mattered now.


    "So, why did you show us this?"


    Her voice was colder than usual. It was understandable��in a club created specifically to avoid Haderian, there was the bombshell announcement of recruiting none other than Haderian, and then out of nowhere, this explosive invention demonstration.


    Moreover, the doll even contained gunpowder, an explosive ingredient. It would be strange not to be angry.


    "I''m going to make this bigger."


    Unaware of Rin''s mood, Leo was quite excited.


    "And for that, I need..."


    Leo patted Haderian''s shoulder.


    "This sturdy friend''s help!"


    This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    Leo''s subsequent explanation could be summarized as follows:


    [First, the Justice Enforcement Machine he plans to build this time is closer to a full-body ''Suit'' rather than the previous partial attachment type.]


    [Second, this machine normally functions like armor, but can employ specific techniques when needed.]


    [Third, it basically operates by contracting wires placed parallel to muscle directions, and normally remains flexible to avoid hindering the wearer''s movement.]


    [Fourth, it currently uses ''gunpowder'' to generate explosive power, which requires someone with a strong physique who can withstand such strain. This has room for improvement in the future.]


    [Fifth, but since there are no immediate alternatives, they need someone with a strong physique��Haderian.]


    "What do you think? Heh!"


    Leo was now even putting his arm around Haderian''s shoulders. Ned opened his mouth with difficulty.


    "Leo hyung..."


    "Hmm? Speak."


    "Do you remember why we created this club in the first place?"


    "Reason? For free research, right? Hehe!"


    Wrong. This person interprets everything in the way that suits him best. Everyone thought this and closed their mouths. While each contemplated how to respond, Shulmaier silently corrected the X mark on Hypothesis 1 to a circle.


    ***


    The next morning. Haderian blocked the doorway of the classroom after geometry class ended.


    "Please accept me!"


    Students passing by the corridor stopped in their tracks, wondering what was happening. And students in the classroom had no choice but to stop because Haderian was blocking them. In front of him, kneeling on one knee, was Rin, looking troubled and fidgeting.


    "Y-you shouldn''t do this here."


    "I refuse! I won''t move a single step until you accept me!"


    "?!"


    The conversation with many omitted objects was more than enough to cause misunderstandings among the bystanders.


    "Oooh!"


    "Finally!"


    "Haderian is so cool!"


    Rin was contemplating what to do. This class didn''t overlap with Calia or Elrunt''s classes, so they weren''t nearby.


    ''Should I run away?''


    No. It''s impossible for Rin to escape from Haderian.


    ''Should I ask for help from those around me?''


    But these people seem to be misunderstanding this as a public confession, don''t they? And even if she cleared up the misunderstanding, the situation wouldn''t improve. Haderian would persist to the end.


    ''So escape after all? But how?''


    "Hmm..."


    Amidst the frustration, Rin began searching through her bag for anything useful. Then her eyes widened at the feel of a cold glass bottle.


    "I''m sorry, Mr. Haderian!"


    "Huh? What��"


    Instead of answering, Rin took something out of her bag and swung it without warning.


    "Ughk!"


    In an instant, Haderian''s face was covered in a pitch-black liquid. It was ink.


    "Miss Rin? What are you��argh!"


    Whatever had hit him properly, Haderian tightly closed his eyes and fell to the floor. Taking advantage of this, Rin boldly used Haderian as a foothold and jumped! She passed through the doorway and fled.


    "Aargh! Wait, Miss Rin! Owww!"


    "S-sorry!"


    "Wait please! Aaah! My eyes!"


    "S-sorry!"


    ***


    Four days had passed since then. During that time, the rumor of the ''Library Fairy Ink Incident'' spread quickly, to the point where everyone on campus knew about it. As a result, whenever Rin passed by, students would whisper something, and each time, Rin had to lower her head in embarrassment.


    "Hold your head up."


    Calia, walking beside her, encouraged Rin.


    "It was self-defense, wasn''t it?"


    "Yes, but..."


    Rin replied, even more dejected.


    "I didn''t know the ink I usually use would be that dangerous."


    "Well... there are many types of ink."


    Indeed. The ink Rin used was a charcoal-based pigment dissolved in high-concentration alcohol, which had the advantage of drying quickly due to its high volatility, but was a substance that causes tremendous pain if it gets into the eyes.


    "Will Senior Haderian be okay? I heard he hasn''t been coming to the training grounds since then..."


    "He should be fine, right? It''s just like really strong alcohol getting in his eyes? Um... it must be really painful though, really."


    Calia used the word "really" three times, making Rin even more depressed.


    "When I think about how someone who never skipped daily practice is now like that because of me..."


    "Aish! If you''re that concerned, don''t just worry..."


    Calia grabbed Rin''s wrist.


    "Let''s go!"


    "Go where?"


    "To visit Haderian in the hospital."


    "W-what? Ah!"


    Rin quickly tried to resist with both feet.


    "Hey! It''s no use!"


    However, there was a significant difference in strength and build between Rin and Calia, who had trained in the Holy Knights'' barracks since childhood.


    As a result, the arm with the grabbed wrist was completely pulled, her head was bowed, and her hips pushed way back, being dragged along. It looked just like an adult forcibly dragging a tantrumming child.


    "Instead of worrying, move!"


    Calia recited one of her favorite ''Empire Proverb Series'' as she vigorously pulled Rin.


    "That''s what my father would always say during his speeches to the members. It was so funny when he''d have everyone lined up unable to move and say that, hee hee."


    "..."


    ***


    The dormitory area was close to the main gate of the academy.


    "This is my first time here."


    Entering the men''s dormitory hall, Rin''s eyes were filled with curiosity. It seemed like a lie that just a moment ago she had been resisting Calia and being forcibly dragged. Though she had lived at the academy since childhood, there were many restrictions on her movements.


    That''s why she was moved by even these small things now that she was an official student. But that was only momentary. As they climbed the stairs and approached Haderian''s room, said to be on the top floor, Rin became dejected again.


    "Do we really need to go in person? Maybe later I could write a letter..."


    "A letter? Haha, what a joke! Let''s see... room 418, so... here it is!"


    Calia checked the number on the door and stopped.


    "Hey! It''s no use!"


    She quickly caught Rin, who was trying to escape at the opportunity. Then, without hesitation, she knocked on the door.


    *KNOCK KNOCK*


    "Who is it?"


    As the door opened, a rather small-built male student poked his head out. Calia asked in return:


    "Who are you?"


    The male student frowned deeply.


    "Shouldn''t you identify yourself first?"


    "Oh!"


    Calia immediately realized her rudeness.


    "I''m Calia, a freshman. Isn''t this Senior Haderian''s room?"


    "Yes, it is."


    "Then why are you coming out?"


    The student frowned even more.


    "Because I''m his roommate."


    Calia tilted her head.


    "He has a roommate too?"


    "The dormitories here are basically double rooms, you know?"


    "Really? Why didn''t I know that?"


    While saying this, Calia looked past the student''s shoulder into the room.


    "Hey! Why are you peeking..."


    "Where''s Senior Haderian?"


    The room seemed to have only the male student. He clutched his head, seemingly angered that everyone was thoroughly ignoring him.


    "If you don''t have any business, please go��Ah?"


    The male student, who was about to close the door, exclaimed in surprise when he spotted Rin hiding behind Calia.


    "Is that the Library Fairy? What brings you to such a humble place..."


    His tone and expression completely changed. The attitude that had been treating them as unwelcome visitors until just now instantly transformed into something like a ceremony welcoming an honored guest.


    "Hmm."


    Seeing the student''s tone change completely, Calia seemed to realize something and nodded unnecessarily.


    "Actually, I''m helping Rin here find Senior Haderian..."


    "Oh, if that''s the case, you should have explained from the beginning! Hahaha!"


    "Hahaha!"


    Initially, Rin had been concerned that Calia, being a noble, might accidentally make a mistake with a commoner, but she was perplexed to see the conversation unfold in an unexpected direction.


    Then her mouth fell open at the room interior visible through the doorway.


    [Lily of the Valley Knights]


    A large inscription in the center. And around it, somehow made to resemble Rin but dressed like a goddess from myth or legend with flowing clothes, and even a halo behind her head��various portraits that were closer to religious art.


    And not just one or two such pictures, but many hanging all over the interior of the room. And decisively, even on this male student''s top, there was a small badge that read ''Lily of the Valley Knights.''


    ***


    "Haderian went to the Engineering Department! Hahaha!"


    "Oh, thank you! Hahaha!"


    Rin and Calia declined the male student''s offer to serve them tea, and headed toward the Engineering Department. Beyond escorting them to the hall, he now came outside to wave at them, and without anyone initiating it, they both started running. Then they burst into laughter that they had been holding back.


    -To be continued-