A Duel in the Library
"Aidan! Why are you saying such terrifying things? Do you actually want Bayul to get hurt? What would that make me!"
"No, you all saw him fall too. I just think it's weird. He's way too unscathed."
It wasn't only Aidan. Eli and Quinn's eyes were also clouded with doubt.
Still, if they were surprised, the person in question had every right to be more so. Bayul couldn't get over the sensation of the floor, which had felt as plush as a mattress. No — he simply couldn't understand it. Far from hurting, it had felt almost like floating on a cloud.
"The floor was so soft that it startled me too. I honestly expected to be covered in bruises. The shock of falling was nothing compared to how stunned I was by that."
"...The floor was soft?"
"Yes, like a bed. Isn't that strange?"
He pressed his hand against the ground again, but only the cold, hard touch met his palm.
"Anyway, Schubik, why did you pop up out of nowhere and scare us half to death? You're lucky nobody got hurt — something awful could've happened!"
"But nothing awful did happen. And what am I, supposed to have done it on purpose? You guys all stampeded off together, so I figured something was up and chased after you. That's all."
"What's that supposed to mean? Since when do we go charging around in a mob?"
"Fair point. But your direction was weird! There's a dining hall here, some stuff over there... and it's exam season, in case you forgot?"
The boy's eyes suddenly narrowed into slits as he leaned in close to Aidan.
"It's about tomorrow's exam, isn't it? Did you get your hands on an old exam paper, huh? Did you?"
"Stop talking nonsense. I'm just going to the library!"
"Huh? The library? There's a library here?"
"There is indeed. Though I suppose you'd only know that if you actually studied now and then."
"Everyone's good at at least one thing in life, you know! It doesn't have to be studying!"
"Well, sure, that's true. But do try to remember that we're currently students whose whole job is studying, my friend."
"That's sarcasm, isn't it? Your tone is just... off."
"Did it come across that way? Then your ears are working perfectly."
"What did you say? You—!"
"So pull yourself together and study hard for the exams, is what I'm saying. You should at least avoid last place, shouldn't you?"
"I'm not that bad!"
"That's for the results to decide."
"Gah! You monster. How can you poke at a friend's wounded pride with such a straight face? Fine, fine, you win! May you eat well and live long!"
"And where are you going?"
"Away! Because I'm so petty—!"
"I was going to point out what's on the exam for you, but never mind. Understood. Some other time, then..."
"My friend! You're the only one I've got! I pledge you my undying loyalty!"
Schubik, who had been turning to leave, spun around and seized Aidan's hand with the most angelic face imaginable. Talkative he might be, but it was impossible to truly dislike the boy.
"Fine, fine, so keep up quietly. We're short on time."
He had already botched the Ga Kingdom language exam and was in a foul mood over it. If he wanted a scholarship next semester, he'd have to make up for it in his other subjects. There was no time to be lounging around here.
A pat, pat on the shoulder.
"Anyway, I'm glad you're okay."
After giving Bayul's shoulder a couple of brisk taps, Aidan strode ahead with the grim resolve of a soldier marching to war.
"Shall we get going too?"
Bayul pointed ahead.
"It's the herb garden the temple keeps, and this is the shortcut. It's not far, so just bear with the smell for a bit."
With Schubik tagging along uninvited, the five of them thus set off for the library. But by the time they arrived, two more had joined, making seven.
"Wait, who invited him?"
Logan had gotten there first and was waiting for them.
"Lanasa's over there too, look."
And a little apart from them, in a corner of the library, Lanasa was engrossed in her studies, entirely on her own.
"Oh, you're here, Bayul?"
"Bayul, so it was you?"
While Logan greeted them warmly, Aidan merely side-eyed Bayul, shooting him a look full of betrayal — how could you do this to me?
"Aidan, about that..."
"I came on my own."
He had simply wanted to spend time with Bayul; embarrassing the boy had never been his intention.
"Bayul didn't know. I heard he studies here after class, so I just came. No need for misunderstandings."
"Right, right! Studying with a genius like you is a bonus for the rest of us! It's not like the library belongs to anyone — any student can walk in, yeah? It's fine, it's fine!"
Schubik, who had sworn loyalty to Aidan mere minutes ago, welcomed Logan with oblivious enthusiasm. Aidan shot him a menacing glare, but Schubik only smirked as he set down his bag.
"That was meant for me to hear, wasn't it?"
It was a fair point, which somehow made it all the more irritating. When Aidan yanked his chair out with an irritable scrape, the grating noise spread through the library.
"Agh, my ears! Hey, don't you know library etiquette? You're supposed to be quiet!"
"I don't want to hear that from you of all people. Who was it causing trouble just now?"
Grumbling under his breath, Aidan finally took his seat.
How do I get that guy out of here?
His gaze drifted naturally toward Logan. Who knew how the others felt, but Aidan had never once been able to imagine himself studying in the same space as Logan. Apparently the man had given up on avoiding Bayul now — but they couldn't just go on like this. If he didn't come up with some scheme here, he'd be doomed to stare at that insufferable face forever.
At this rate I'll die before my time. Ugh, isn't there any way?
"Why did it suddenly go so quiet?"
It was somehow more unnerving that Aidan, who everyone had expected to throw a fit, had gone so docile. They had only come to study for exams — how could things be this eventful? What a exhausting day.
"Well then, let's all sit down for now."
Bayul and Eli sat side by side next to Logan, while Quinn took the seat across from them.
"Bayul, want to take a look at this?"
The important exam tomorrow was herbalism. Eli pulled out a notebook he had prepared in advance for Bayul, the transfer student.
"Whoa! That fountain pen is incredible! Eli, is it yours? Where'd you buy it?"
The moment Eli spread out his notes and opened his mouth to explain, Schubik — seated across the table — practically threw himself onto it, arm outstretched.
"Show me, up close! That thing is sparkling like nobody's business!"
"...It's just a fountain pen."
"Just a fountain pen? I've never seen one like this in my life! How much was it? Tell me where they sell them!"
"It's from home, so I have no idea."
"Really? Hand it over anyway. Just one touch — please!"
Exasperated by Schubik's dogged begging and his wildly waving hands, Eli finally sighed and passed the pen over. Bayul hadn't paid it much attention before, but just as Schubik said, the fountain pen was quite ornate.
"These aren't real gems, right?"
"Who knows."
At Schubik's question, Eli shrugged.
"So is it cubic zirconia? Or diamonds?"
The boy pressed again, but Eli kept a stony silence.
"Oh? There's something written here."
Schubik's focus settled on the end of the barrel.
"Ra... ye... gar... Oh! It says Rayegar!"
"Rayegar?"
"Yeah, like a person's name? Eli, who is that? An ancestor, maybe? But why does this name sound so familiar..."
"Give it back if you're done looking!"
Eli snatched the pen coldly out of Schubik's hand as the boy frowned, straining to dredge something up from memory. For some reason, he looked a little angry.
"What, you think I'd steal it? Relax, I'm not taking it!"
Schubik pouted and flopped back down into his chair.
"Now, where was I?"
Apparently unwilling to let the pen get any more attention, Eli tossed it into his bag with enough force to make an audible thump, then reopened the notebook.
"You hadn't explained anything yet."
"Ah, right? Then look here."
Eli pointed to a certain section with his finger.
"This mark means it's important. If you flip through the pages, you'll see a check on each chapter, right? Make sure you reread and memorize these parts. Do that, and eighty points or better is well within reach."
"Really? Me too, show me too!"
Before Bayul could even say thank you, Schubik had draped himself over the table again, butting in.
"See, I was right to tag along! Forget eighty — I'd be thrilled with a fifty!"
"Isn't that a score you could get without studying at all?"
"Whoa, Eli. You think way too highly of me! Much appreciated, but no."
"...Bayul goes first. Then you."
"Fine, fine! First come, first served. I do have manners, you know."
Though he hadn't so much as touched the notebook, Schubik already felt like he'd scored above eighty.
"But how did you all find this place? And here I am, the great information broker, and I didn't even know it existed. The atmosphere is so unique!"
"Ah, I only found out recently—"
"By the way, do you think Lanasa came here to study for exams like us?"
Out of nowhere, Schubik hunched low and whispered.
"Honestly, she takes it too far. She studies like a maniac even outside of sword training, apparently. Is she gunning for the top spot in the whole year?"
"Huh? That reminds me—"
Bayul couldn't tell whether the boy intended to study or just chatter. Schubik hadn't even taken out a book, just running his mouth a mile a minute, and watching him made the back of Eli's neck throb.
They might have been the only people present, but this was still a library — a place meant for silence, where carrying on like this was both a nuisance and utterly shameless. Jumping out of nowhere and startling everyone, and now this. The boy was a hindrance in every possible way.
Thud!
Eli snapped his notebook shut, as if he'd made up his mind. Either Schubik got shown the door, or they found a new spot — one of the two had to happen.
"That's it — let's duel!"
And it was at that exact moment that Aidan's long silence finally broke.
"Logan, you and me — a match!"
The boy shot to his feet and abruptly challenged Logan to a duel.
"What duel? Here? Now?"
"Back off."
Shoving aside the meddling Schubik, Aidan loftily raised his chin.
"We tied in the riding practical, but there's still plenty of theory exams left, right? We add up the scores across every subject, and whoever's higher wins. The loser has to hide where the winner never has to see them again! What do you say?"
"Aidan, what kind of—"
"No."
Bayul and Logan rejected it almost simultaneously. When Logan instantly shot down a decision Aidan had agonized over, his face crumpled.
"Why not? You'd love never seeing me again, wouldn't you?"
"It doesn't bother me."
"What...?"
"Seeing you is fine."
Logan's golden eyes turned to Aidan, gleaming clear and bright.
"...Th-then why is it fine!"