Chapter 22
Chapter 22
Second Meeting (7)
Sizzle—
Unlike the sound of meat grilling, the air inside the steakhouse had frozen over.
That was because the gazes of Yuki and Lil, sitting across from me, were piercing Sylvia—who was chewing meat quietly beside me—like arrows.
More precisely, the problem was the single piece of steak I had cut and fed directly into Sylvia’s mouth.
...They’re jealous.
Yuki’s silver hair trembled faintly, and although Lil maintained her usual gentle smile, the knife in her hand was gripped with excessive force.
"Ian. What was that just now?"
Yuki asked in a low voice.
"Well, Sylvia was talking too much, so I made her quiet."
"I talk a lot too! I can talk a lot too! Feed me as well!"
Yuki abandoned all noble dignity, opening her mouth wide.
Sigh. When will she grow up?
As Yuki raised her voice, Sylvia swallowed the meat and spoke expressionlessly.
"Analysis report. The food delivery method involving direct contact is inefficient but significantly increases psychological satisfaction. Ian has talent specialized for domestication."
"Domestication?! Do you want to die?!"
Yuki stood up, ready to pounce, but Lil gently pressed her back down.
"Now, now, my lady. This is a public place. Ian will feel troubled."
Lil turned to me, her eyes filled with concern—like a parent worried about their child making bad friends.
"Ian, this makes your big brother sad. If you’re going to feed someone, you should feed me too next time, alright?"
She wiped sauce from my lips with delicate care.
Before things escalated further, Sylvia wiped her greasy lips and shifted the topic.
"Energy replenishment complete. Proceeding to main topic. Professor Beatrice’s assignment requires collaborative analysis."
She opened her thick notebook.
"Hypothesis one: the sacred relic from the empire’s founding stored in the chancellor’s office. Infinite historical value. Hypothesis two: a century-old mana crystal in the magic department’s underground waterways. Market value immeasurable. However, both involve high risk."
Yuki scoffed.
"Hmph. That’s not valuable. Artists should depict beauty. For example… the Castel family’s gemstone—Castel’s Tear. Or…"
She glanced at me, blushing slightly.
"...my face. What could be more valuable than the beauty of a duke’s heir?"
Her arrogant tone didn’t hide the way her fingers nervously twisted her skirt.
She clearly wanted me to say I’d draw her.
That would be dangerous.
As I turned away, Lil gently held my hand.
"I think it’s the desire to protect. The sacrifice of knights, or the courage to protect someone dear."
Her voice was soft, but carried weight.
Value meant something different to everyone.
To me—
Lines.
No need to think further.
The extravagant lines blooming like roses above Yuki.
The warm, gentle curves surrounding Lil.
And the precise, straight lines intersecting around Sylvia.
Each line shaped by their lives.
"Top student Ian, you appear to be looking at us but your gaze is unfocused."
Sylvia waved her hand in front of me.
"What are you thinking? About drawing my face?"
Yuki asked hopefully.
"Ian, I can help with your assignment if you need anything."
Lil smiled.
I stood up, holding back laughter.
The tangled, lively lines before me—
they weren’t unpleasant.
If I captured them in a painting, what would Professor Beatrice say?
Maybe a zero.
But to me, it would have value.
After the meal, Sylvia began nodding off like a wind-up doll losing power.
Her heart bandage trembled with each nod.
"Report… brain activity declining… entering sleep mode… Today’s data was meaningful…"
She staggered off toward the dorms.
"Go sleep, bandage!"
Just as Yuki reached for my arm—
a student ran up.
"My lady! The princess summons you. Urgent Knight Department meeting!"
"Seriously?! Always at the worst time!"
Yuki looked at me reluctantly.
"Ian! Stay in your dorm today! Don’t go anywhere!"
"I’ll try. Go handle your business."
She left, clearly unwilling.
Lil then held my shoulder gently.
"Now it’s quiet."
"Yeah..."
"I also have duties this afternoon. I don’t like leaving you alone."
She fixed my hair carefully.
"If anyone troubles you, tell me."
After she left—
silence.
No rose scent. No butter warmth. No pine chill.
Peace.
I stretched and yawned.
This is what I need.
Walking through the academy grounds, I noticed a notice board.
Among many posters—
one caught my eye.
[Central Library Assistant Recruitment]
Tasks: organizing books, closing duties
Eligibility: students who value books and silence
Pay: 1500 er per hour
Benefits: early access to new books, personal desk
"...Oh."
Perfect.
A quiet place. Paid reading.
I immediately headed to the central library.
A massive stone building.
Inside, endless shelves and soft magical light.
Books filled the air with calm green lines.
The scent of paper and wood—
Perfect.
At the desk, an old librarian looked up.
"What brings you here?"
"I’m applying for the assistant position. Ian, Arts Department."
"Ah, the top student."
He chuckled.
"You’re not at a party?"
"I prefer quiet."
"Good. We need help. Can you start today?"
"Yes."
I put on the librarian apron.
It felt like armor.
My first task: shelving books.
Pushing the cart between rows—
This is it.
This is the academy life I wanted.
Maybe I’ll find a hint for the assignment here.
I checked titles.
[Medieval Art History]
[Geometry of Lines and Forms]
[Magical Applications of Materials]
Then—
Creak—
In a remote section.
Dim lights. Worn carpet.
And—
...What is this?
Between the shelves—
black, sticky lines twisted unnaturally.
Like something tearing through space.
They scratched the air, devouring the calm green lines around them.
A chill ran down my spine.
This place...
is a dead end.