Not You
Not You
Irion and the group revisited the library a day later.
Because of Iskalon's rampage yesterday, investigators had gathered at the library, but it wasn't something to be overly concerned about.
They didn't know about the existence of the grimoire.
Unless it was a special case like Elody, they would never be able to notice it.
'In that sense, it's quite fascinating.'
Even at a point where she hadn't touched the grimoire, Elody had felt Iskalon's presence, however faintly.
In the original game, Elody discovered it because she felt something when she went near the bookshelf, so perhaps that was why.
The three of them intended to have a proper conversation again with Iskalon, whom they had left alone for a day, but...
"What is everyone gathered here for?"
Aether-nim cut in without any sense of the atmosphere.
As someone with the unique status of a Prince, he was busier than the professors, wandering here and there regardless of break times.
That was why he had been absent yesterday, but today he had no other schedule.
He joined Irion's group as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Um, well that's..."
"..."
Elody looked around nervously, and even Renoa-nim, who was more polite to the Prince than to her own parents, couldn't easily open her mouth.
If they explained about Iskalon here, it would be revealed that they were the culprits behind yesterday's library incident.
To be precise, it was Iskalon's doing, but from the moment they knew and overlooked it, they were no different from accomplices.
"Aether-nim, do you happen to have any other business?"
Irion, knowing this, attempted to eject Aether-nim.
"Why do you ask that?"
"People flock here just to see Aether-nim. It's so uncomfortable that we can't even read books in peace. If there's a book you're looking for, why don't you come back after we leave?"
Aether-nim blinked blankly at being treated like a burden for the first time in his life.
Even Renoa-nim and Elody seemed to agree with Irion's opinion.
"What is this atmosphere? Are you all ostracizing me right now?"
"N-n-n-n-n-no way. H-h-h-h-how could we possibly ostracize the Imperial Prince?"
"Princess?"
"..."
Elody stuttered out a lie that was worse than saying nothing at all.
Renoa-nim slightly rolled her pupils, avoiding Aether-nim's gaze.
The one who should be quiet is talking, and the one who should help is keeping her mouth shut.
Irion marveled at the tear-inducing teamwork.
"This is certainly a new kind of treatment. It's awkward to say it myself, but do you know how many nobles and merchant guilds gather just to have a single conversation with me?"
"I wouldn't know."
"Too many to count. Because I am the Prince of the Empire, after all. But are you really going to ostracize me? Are you confident you won't regret it?"
"It's just a shame, I guess."
Irion replied instantly without a moment's hesitation.
Why does he talk so much?
If you feel like it's you, just take the hint and leave.
"No? Since you're acting like that, I absolutely cannot leave. I won't move a single step from here until you include me."
However, Irion's cold treatment instead stimulated Aether-nim's stubbornness.
He crossed his arms and legs, showing his determination never to move.
Irion was dumbfounded by his persistence.
'No, I don't think this guy was this kind of character.'
The Aether-nim in the original work was definitely a Northern Young Lord character who was pleasant yet cold when he needed to be.
But in front of him was a young boomer who stubbornly refused to listen to what people said.
To the point where he wondered if he had possessed a parallel world of Lady Maker. The kids were all losing their minds one by one.
"Irion, stop it and show it to Aether-nim as well."
Finally, unable to endure it, Renoa-nim stepped in to mediate.
"Will it be alright?"
"As long as Aether-nim keeps the secret."
"Is it something that requires that much? It must be quite a dangerous matter."
"We don't know if it's dangerous yet. It's just a separate matter from trusting Aether-nim."
A staring contest ensued between Renoa-nim and Aether-nim.
It was a battle of nerves between the unofficial rank 1 and rank 2 of the Academy.
"To not be able to trust me, the Prince..."
Irion let out a hollow laugh at Aether-nim's monologue.
"No, you tell us not to discriminate based on status in the Academy, yet you keep saying 'Prince, Prince' every chance you get. What do you want us to do?"
"Haha. That's because I'm not used to it yet. I keep making mistakes."
"Decide quickly. We're busy."
If it were the original Aether-nim, he would have left the moment they first showed signs of reluctance.
He wasn't without respect for others to the point of forcing himself into a spot where he was unwelcome.
But Aether-nim was being uncharacteristically stubborn.
Aside from digging into Renoa-nim's identity, it was fun to be with them.
That rude attitude of not treating him like a Prince piqued Aether-nim's interest.
"Fine. I'll stake my name on it and promise not to utter a word about what's about to happen."
Thus, Aether-nim readily accepted their proposal.
He had to see for himself exactly what they were hiding.
"Good. Then before we take out the book... Aether-nim. Could you go for a quick walk over there?"
"Why?"
"We need to divert the surrounding attention."
"That's not difficult."
Aether-nim stood up and walked away, pulling everyone's gaze like a magnet.
In the meantime, Irion secretly pulled out the grimoire he had roughly tossed under the bookshelf yesterday.
He showed the book to Aether-nim when he returned to his seat.
"Hmm, what book is this? It's a very old ancient text."
"Before that. There are too many people watching here. Let's move to a place where there are no people."
"We can just move."
"However, taking books out of the library is strictly prohibited."
"So you want me to take it out using my authority."
Irion nodded.
Aether-nim couldn't answer immediately.
He had said he would live as an ordinary student at the Academy, so he was quite reluctant to use his authority as a Prince.
"It's a grimoire. A grimoire that no one has read yet."
"Aha. Then that's a different story."
Aether-nim is a Prince, but on the other hand, he is a mage who pursues the magical path.
The arrogant desire for inquiry to understand an incomprehensible world was an instinct deeply engraved in the bones of the mage race.
To such mages, a grimoire was no different from an oasis found in a sandy desert.
And a grimoire that no one had read yet?
They would willingly mortgage even their souls. It was an existence that evoked that much thirst.
Using Aether-nim as a shield, Irion walked boldly toward the library exit.
Sure enough, the moment they passed the exit, an alarm rang.
"Excuse me, student. That book cannot be taken out..."
The moment the librarian guarding the exit opened their mouth in surprise, Aether-nim stepped forward with a smile.
"I'll be borrowing it for a while under my authority. I need to conduct an investigation. Would you understand?"
"O-of course! If Your Highness guarantees it, then there is naturally no problem! Please look through it at your leisure!"
The Prince chance was much sweeter than expected. Irion cheered inwardly and leisurely left the library.
They moved to an empty classroom in the Academy where no one was present.
"So. What is this object? If it's nothing special after going this far, I think I'll be greatly disappointed."
"Seeing is believing. Try injecting mana into this book."
"Hmm..."
Aether-nim didn't act immediately upon the mysterious request but observed the reactions of the three.
Since he didn't sense anything particularly strange from them, he flowed mana into the book.
Then.
[Do you think this body is some prostitute in a brothel? This fellow and that fellow, everyone just keeps shoving mana in!]
A crude voice of an old man echoed in his mind.
Aether-nim's brow furrowed in wariness.
"...What is this?"
"It's a wraith who calls himself a Great Sage."
[You insolent brat! I'm not calling myself that, nor am I a wraith! Do I need to show you my power again for you to come to your senses?]
"Power? Again?"
"He's the culprit who knocked out the students yesterday."
Renoa-nim drove the point home to Aether-nim's suspicion. His eyes widened for a moment before immediately returning to normal.
"I see. So that's why you asked me to keep it a secret."
"W-we're victims too! This grandfather did it all by himself!"
[A-ah, child. What are you saying? If you say it like that, this old man will be disappointed.]
"I almost collapsed because of you, Grandfather!"
[T-that's because it's been so long that I made a mistake in controlling my power... I'm sorry.]
Aether-nim quickly understood the situation with the unique intuition he had honed in the political world.
"It's a grimoire. One with an ego, at that."
"You've seen it correctly."
"Where did you get this?"
"I happened to discover it."
Irion hid the fact that he had known about the grimoire's existence from the beginning.
There was nothing good about having that discovered by others.
"Fine. I've confirmed it's a grimoire, and I'm relieved to know the secret of yesterday's incident. But? What is the identity of this grimoire? If it's a dangerous object, I can't let it pass."
"We are also planning to find that out from now on."
Renoa-nim replied.
Soon, everyone's gaze turned toward the grimoire. The eye on the cover blinked and rolled its pupil, scanning the surroundings.
[Hmph! Do you think this body will answer so easily? You rascals left me in that dark place and went away. I have nothing to give to unscrupulous fellows like you!]
"Really? Then since it's no longer useful, I'll have to burn it."
Flames flared up from Renoa-nim's palm.
[Hieek?! Child who is loved by magic. Please save this old man from this wicked witch.]
"I'm the weakest here, so... I'm sorry, heheh."
Elody stuck out her tongue and laughed.
At this rate, the grimoire really seemed like it would be burned, so Irion eventually stepped in to mediate.
"Don't be like that, let's settle this amicably. Old man, why don't you teach us magic?"
[Why should I do that?]
"Are you going to refuse? If you refuse, the magical knowledge you've built up over your entire life won't be passed down to future generations. Will you be okay with that?"
[You brat...]
Irion knew from the beginning that Iskalon was a Great Sage. He also knew for what reason he had become a grimoire.
He offered what such an Iskalon feared most as a bargaining chip.
The effect was certain. Iskalon couldn't bluster as he had before.
"As a Great Sage, you should know better than anyone. How outstanding the magical talent of these people is."
[...]
"We learn magic, and you, old man, pass down your knowledge to future generations. How about it? It won't be a losing trade. And it won't be easy to find mages of this caliber again."
Silence followed for a moment.
After a bit more time had passed.
[...Fine. I accept. I will teach you magic. Surely, if it's you all, you'll be more than capable of inheriting my knowledge.]
Iskalon reluctantly accepted the proposal.
"Kyah, you made a good choice."
[However, the black-haired lady is a no.]
"Pardon?"
The pupil of Iskalon pointed at Renoa-nim.
"Why is that? Why is it only the lady who's a no?"
As if asking something obvious, Iskalon snorted.
[This lady is a witch, isn't she? I may be generous toward pretty children, but I'm not such a lecher that I'd hand over knowledge to a witch.]