Chapter 97
Chapter 97
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 96
Chapter Title: Librarian Ernst (17) - The Book of Farewell
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“Lady Eris, have you had some good news lately or something?”
One day.
A female student from the Aldridge Raid School approached her, prompting Eris to blink in surprise.
“Do I look like it?”
“Yes. You used to seem as sharp as winter, but now you're like a spring breeze!”
...Who says things like someone's face resembles winter right to their face?
Eris thought that, but she didn't voice it.
The old her might have wondered if this was some backhanded insult and grown suspicious, but the current her could tell.
There was no malice whatsoever.
The girl just had flowers in her head.
...Well, that in itself might be proof of how peaceful this country was, Eris mused as she replied.
“Hmm, it's not so much one particular good thing as everything just falling into place smoothly, bit by bit.”
In the past, Eris had lived day to day as if constantly chased by something, but lately, that had lessened considerably.
Her steady studies and self-training continued, but now she had time to enjoy hobbies in between.
「Human motivation and mental strength are akin to consumables. It's not impossible to focus solely on one goal persistently, but it's like dragging a sleep-deprived, exhausted body to keep working by force. The efficiency is poor. Plus, you might get new inspiration during breaks. So, that's not work.」
It was the result of heeding a certain librarian's overly passionate rant, but whether it was amusing or absurd, Eris's skills were indeed growing faster than before.
She had always been among the top disciples of Delphinaris, but now she could probably beat anyone except her master.
However, the girl seemed to interpret Eris's words differently.
“Ah, I see. Well, you're about to head to the Sky Academy, your goal, aren't you? They say it's a terrifying yet romantic place. I'd love to visit at least once!”
“Mm.”
Eris hesitated for a moment.
It was because the fact she had been deliberately avoiding came rushing back.
“......”
“...Lady Eris?”
“Ah, yes. Right. I have to leave soon.”
Eris was on the verge of graduating from the Aldridge Raid School.
After that, she would enter the Sky Academy as originally planned.
For the past Eris, who had seen her days at the school as a waste of time, this was the moment she had longed for.
But the current Eris couldn't be thrilled about graduating.
The Sky Academy was special and peculiar in many ways.
Once you became a student, opportunities to leave the academy were extremely limited, and you'd spend most of your time inside.
Naturally, she wouldn't be able to live freely coming and going to the library like now.
Eris took a sip of the tea on the table.
The taste lingering in her mouth felt more bitter than usual.
The library on the outskirts of Aldridge.
Ernst closed the book he was reading.
He had noticed a new visitor.
He asked the woman, who appeared to be in her 30s or 40s.
“Welcome, patron. Are you looking for a specific book?”
His utterly businesslike expression held not a speck of warmth, and his flat voice lacked any inflection.
The middle-aged woman responded to the blond librarian, who seemed utterly unsuited for customer service.
“Do you have any books a young girl might like?”
“Hm.”
Ernst pondered briefly, then stood and selected a few books from the shelves.
The woman watched his back intently, as if scrutinizing him, before making a strange face.
Like someone trying to decipher unknown script and failing.
Regardless, Ernst calmly laid several books on the counter.
About half were romance-related, the rest a mix of various genres.
The woman examined the titles carefully, then gave a wry smile.
“The world truly is vast. You don't look that old, yet I can't read you at all.”
It was as good as admitting the books were a pretext to observe him, but Ernst didn't flinch.
And at his demeanor, the woman—no, Archmage Delphinaris—continued calmly.
“I have many disciples. One of them recently vanished suddenly.”
Marik Grimrun's abrupt disappearance.
Even his father, the count, hadn't truly searched for him, but Delphinaris was different.
No matter how lacking Marik's character or personality, or even if his talent proved inferior to Eris's, once accepted as a disciple, she gave her all until they parted ways—that was Delphinaris's nature.
“I was using various means to find him when I detected a strange aura.”
For a non-demonic being to sense a demon was like a hidden object puzzle.
Unless you knew something was hidden, you'd just see an ordinary picture and pass by.
Someone telling you it's a puzzle, stumbling on an incongruity, or scrutinizing every detail in search of something and realizing it's no ordinary image.
Delphinaris fell into the last category.
Testing various detection spells in Marik's room, where he'd last been seen, she noticed a demonic aura she wouldn't normally detect and traced it to Aldridge in horror.
Realizing something major might happen—or had already happened—to Eris.
“And that aura led right here.”
Her prized disciple's frequent haunt: the library.
A building with demonic traces. And a formidable figure inside.
Utterly suspicious.
Delphinaris fixed Ernst with sharp eyes hidden behind her refined face.
“What is your true identity?”
To the archmage's question, Ernst replied.
“The librarian of this library. At least here.”
An answer without tremor or hesitation.
Maintaining utter composure before an archmage, yet claiming to be merely a librarian—a contradiction.
Objectively, it warranted blasting spells on suspicion alone, but Delphinaris pressed on.
“Then, what do you think of Eris?”
“A patron.”
Another swift reply, as if no thought required.
Before the archmage, who seemed oddly crestfallen, could speak, Ernst added flatly.
“And also a reading companion who shares books and impressions.”
“...A reading companion.”
“Yes, she gives quite insightful reactions, so it's rather enjoyable to observe.”
Evidently an unforeseen answer, Delphinaris stared at him blankly.
Then, she let out a low, hollow chuckle.
“Haha, I see. Indeed, magic isn't everything.”
The pressure emanating from Delphinaris subsided.
She placed several gold coins on the counter table from her bosom.
A bit much for library fees.
“Sorry for testing you like that. This old woman nearly made a fool of herself again. I know I should know my limits, but it's not easy.”
Beneath the polite words lay a subtle bitterness.
Self-mockery and disappointment toward herself for often failing her role or being a step too late, contrary to her thoughts.
Then Ernst spoke.
“It's fine.”
To the puzzled archmage, the librarian said.
“Your disciples will surely understand that kindness of heart.”
“...Haha. Strangely, hearing it from you feels like some reward.”
Calling it a curious thing, the archmage left the library.
Not long after.
As if swapping places with Delphinaris, Eris appeared.
“Next volume, please.”
Unaware her master had visited, she returned the read book and requested the next as usual, and Ernst handed it over as if nothing happened.
Flutter, flutter.
In the silence filled only with the sound of turning pages.
As Eris subtly glanced his way, waiting for an opening to speak.
Suddenly, Ernst rose from the counter and approached her.
Eris tensed unconsciously.
“Patron.”
“Y-Yes? W-What's up?”
“Here.”
Ernst held out a single book.
Eris took it in bewilderment, then widened her eyes.
Realizing it was no ordinary book.
“This is a grimoire.”
“Yes. I made one.”
“Made one? Grimoires aren't notebooks... Never mind. For a mage of your caliber, what's impossible?”
Eris eyed Ernst questioningly.
Urging explanation with her look, he continued bluntly.
“The book's effect is simple: register various books and retrieve their contents anytime. It's essentially a portable library. I've registered all the books here, so even if originals vanish, the info in yours won't. Shall I explain usage?”
“No need. I can figure that much out.”
Eris placed a hand on the cover, envisioning the 'Literature' category.
Focusing on one of the hundreds visible under her eyelids changed the cover, form, and page count.
Even more astonishing: it applied equally to grimoires.
Seeing a water grimoire casually in her hand, Eris looked incredulous.
“...Don't tell me registering copies even the original's mana intact?”
“Registration and reproduction use your mana and that in the grimoire, 『The Book of Have You Gone Mad?』, so yes for any inferior to the sum. For superior ones, your skill must improve.”
“Change that damn name first.”
“You said this last time.”
“Change it.”
“Hm, understood. That's up to the owner anyway.”
Eris sighed deeply, then fixed Ernst with a stare.
“So, what is this? Not the book's nature, but why give it to me?”
Ernst answered.
“A farewell gift. From me, leaving this place, to you, the patron leaving this place.”