Chapter 115: The Library (2)
Chapter 115: The Library (2)
It had barely been three months since I enrolled, but I’d already grown quite strong.
At the level of an Academy student, I could now overwhelm most others regardless of their year.
Thanks to the system corrections, I’d gained power much faster than expected… but there was still plenty to learn at the Academy.
Besides, even if I said I could beat everyone, I still couldn't quite match a few exceptional students.
Geniuses like Carla and Elisha. Or those who were called "beginner picks" back in the days of H&A.
Helena, who stood before me now, was one of them.
After school.
Just as I was about to head to the library, Helena came all the way to the Magic Department classroom to hand me a small box.
"Brother. It’s a bit late, but here is the item you requested the other day."
I peeked inside and saw three nun’s habits neatly folded.
"Oh."
I’d been so busy lately that I’d almost forgotten about them.
I couldn't help but grin, briefly simulating what I’d do with these.
Originally, I’d asked for three just to be safe, but in the meantime, Iris, Elisha, and even Fay had become my women.
In other words, I was one short.
Noticing Helena looking troubled by my unseemly smile, I spoke up cautiously.
"Um… Priestess Helena."
"Yes. What is it, Brother Yandel?"
"By any chance. Just maybe."
"Please, speak freely. Aren't we close enough to exchange things like this?"
Helena shrugged, gesturing toward the box of nun’s habits.
She probably had a rough idea of what I intended to use them for, hence the banter. Feeling a bit more relaxed, I nodded.
"Thank you. Then, could I possibly get one more?"
"…Gasp!"
But for some reason, Helena stumbled back, her face flushing bright red.
She even went as far as covering her divine bosom with both arms, casting a look of pure disdain at me.
"I’m disappointed in you, Brother."
"What’s wrong, Helena? I’m not sure what’s happening, but I think there’s a misunderstanding…."
"A misunderstanding? I may have grown up entirely within the Church and only recently come out into the world, but I still know how things work."
I waited to see what on earth she was going to say, and then Helena shouted with absolute conviction.
"Asking for one more nun’s habit… that’s just your way of telling me to take off the clothes I’m wearing right now, isn't it?!"
"…Say what?"
"Is it not? As far as I know, there are at most three people you could possibly put these clothes on. But asking for one more… you’re clearly telling me to strip!"
"What kind of nonsense logic is that?! It is a misunderstanding!"
"Don't play innocent! I saw a similar plot in a book I borrowed from the library!"
"The library again! Again! Just what kind of place is that library anyway?!"
Despite my dumbfounded reaction, the contempt in Helena’s eyes didn't fade.
"As far as I know, there are only three people you’d put a nun’s habit on. The two slaves by your side and Sister Fay. That makes three."
"There’s one more person outside the Academy! That’s why I need four!"
"Then what was that leering look you gave me just a moment ago?"
"I was just checking your reaction! You went through the trouble of bringing exactly what I asked for, so I felt bad asking for another one!"
"I don't think that was it…."
"No, it was…!"
I pounded my chest in frustration several times.
Then, I heard a faint sound of giggling from somewhere.
I turned to Carla and Elisha with a look of betrayal.
Neither of them was laughing out loud, though they were both smirking at my flustered state.
With a sinking feeling, I looked back at Helena.
"Hehe… Pfft!"
As if she’d never been on guard at all, Helena was snickering under her breath.
"Priestess Helena?"
"Ah. My apologies, Brother. I suppose my prank was a bit too mean."
"A prank?"
At my gaze, which was full of utter bewilderment, she turned her head slightly as if feeling a bit shy.
"Seeing how happy you were to receive the gift made me feel a bit mischievous…."
"……."
"Please don't look at me like that. I’ll bring you another one as soon as possible to make up for it."
"Well. I’d appreciate that, then."
I could put up with a prank like that if it meant getting another nun’s habit.
Helena looked momentarily incredulous at my rapid change in attitude, but she soon chuckled and nodded.
"Understood. Now that the urgent matters are settled, it won't take long."
"That’s good to hear. More importantly, Priestess Helena, there’s something I wanted to ask."
"What is it?"
"My request from before—about letting me join the Church of Righteous Light in their dungeon raids or cultist subjugations."
"Ah. I certainly remember that. However, your name has been gaining quite a bit of traction within our Church lately…."
According to Helena, there hadn't been a suitable mission to call me for yet, and besides, the higher-ups were apparently arguing among themselves about who would get to meet me first, so it would take a little more time.
A bunch of middle-aged men fighting over me? What in the world….
I nodded, feeling a bit stunned.
"I see. Then I’ll wait for your call."
Since the Church of Righteous Light was the most proactive in fighting, it was the optimal place for achievement farming.
Achievements translated directly into stats and traits, so they were essential for me.
Once you have basic combat power, the next step is naturally achievement farming.
I chatted with Helena for a bit longer before we parted ways.
And finally, I arrived at the library.
*
The moment I opened the doors, I was greeted by a towering pillar of books.
"Whoa…."
No, wait. On closer inspection, it was just a bookshelf packed so tightly it reached the ceiling.
When I’d seen it through a monitor, I thought it was just a regular bookshelf, but seeing it in person, it felt as majestic as a work of art.
Just how much effort did they put into this library?
As I slowly pulled my gaze away from the soaring circular bookshelf, the rest of the library’s interior came into view.
Rows of bookshelves lined up in perfect order, desks and chairs placed throughout for reading, and… metal spheres with arms floating in the air, retrieving books.
"Wait. What are those?"
If the circular bookshelf was something I already knew about but found impressive in person, those armed spheres were something I’d never seen before.
I pointed in surprise, and Carla replied with a satisfied smile, as if she’d just seen something incredibly cute.
"Master, is this really your first time in a library? Those are golems used by the librarians."
"Golems…?"
"Yes. As you can see, the library is incredibly vast, isn't it? And the shelves are very high. No matter how skilled the librarians are as mages, it’s difficult for humans to manage this place perfectly, so they leave part of it to the golems."
"Wouldn't it be more normal to just hire more people?"
Golems were difficult to make and the maintenance costs must be significant.
It was a reasonable question, but there was one thing I hadn't considered.
"Dear. Where do you think we are?"
"Ah."
As Elisha said, this was the Academy, where the continent’s top-tier professors and students gathered.
A professor could probably whip up a golem in no time, and if one broke, it could be fixed quickly at the Workshop Street.
In fact, hiring a librarian—who, despite using mostly lifestyle magic, was still a skilled mage—would probably be more expensive.
"That’s amazing. So this is a sight you can only see at the Academy."
"If you find it that interesting, would you like to try using one, Master?"
"Huh? I can use them? I thought they were for the librarians."
"Of course. Those golems have two main tasks: organizing books and finding books. If there’s a book you want, try asking one to find it for you."
Ah. Maybe I was overthinking the whole "golem" thing. It was probably just like a library search computer back on Earth.
I waved at one of the golems buzzing around, and it stopped what it was doing to fly over.
"Um… do I just say the title?"
"Yes. They should have almost every book here, so just say it."
"What would be good… right. Can you find a book called The Origin of Beastkin?"
Creak, creak.
The thing, which had no eyes, nose, or mouth, nodded and flew off again. Not long after, the golem returned carrying a single book.
[The Origin of Beastkin]
Looking at the title, it seemed correct. Just to be sure, I flipped through the pages.
This was definitely the book I was looking for.
Since I couldn't raise my voice in the library, I tugged on Carla’s sleeve and whispered.
"This is seriously cool."
"And you’re being seriously cute right now, Master."
"……."
Carla’s gaze, looking at me like an older sister, felt incredibly ticklish.
I couldn't help it! It is cool! A golem found a book for me!
I looked at Elisha, hoping for a different reaction, but….
"This is definitely a bit cute."
"How?!"
"The way you’re genuinely happy, unlike your usual sly self who acts like he knows everything."
That’s oddly specific! But I think I get what she means!
Elisha chuckled, seemingly still finding it amusing, and continued.
"It’s like watching someone who lived in the countryside their whole life coming to the city for the first time…… Ah."
Elisha stopped mid-sentence, her mouth falling open as if she’d realized something.
Then, with a benevolent expression, she patted my shoulder.
"Don't worry, Yandel. You have us by your side now. Let’s see many more things together from now on."
"……."
This is that, right? She’s mistakenly thinking I’m from some hidden secret society and only recently came out into the world because the organization collapsed, right?
Even though I knew what she was thinking, all I could do was nod.
"By the way, where do I go to find erotic novels? Should I ask that golem?"
"Yandel… you really don't know how to read the room, do you? You’re supposed to be more touched in a moment like this!"
But… honestly, I’m really curious.
How can anyone resist smut in a fantasy world?