Chapter 18
Chapter 18
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: Biographies of Comrades
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I needed to properly look into my comrades' past activities.
Previously, I'd glossed over it in my excitement, but no matter how I sliced it, the arrival of Lin's biography and diary here was suspicious.
Fortunately, Rain was currently in the perfect place to gather information. No—probably the best spot in the entire empire.
Delaiten Central Library.
The largest library in the Holy Human Empire, it housed 58,422 ancient tomes and 274,443 regular volumes. This included numerous history books and biographical compendiums.
Those of unclear identity weren't even allowed to browse, but students had full access—aside from the 0th Restricted Archive.
"I'm looking for these books. Where would I find them?"
He'd come to the library after classes.
The Central Library's First Reference Room had a soaring double-story ceiling, with bookshelves towering 3.5 meters high.
Concerned about fire hazards, there were no lighting fixtures at all. Instead, every surface was made of keelstone that brilliantly reflected sunlight and moonlight, keeping the library perpetually bright as day.
"This way."
A scholarly-looking librarian adjusted her glasses and nimbly climbed up and down the ladder, retrieving the requested books.
『Bow Star, Kies's Life and Achievements.』
『On the Fire Dragon's Shrine Maiden Fride.』
Just seeing the titles and their thickness brought echoes from the past, tugging a wistful smile to his lips unbidden.
- Let's make a bet. Whose biography will end up the thickest?
Three hundred years ago... Fride had blurted out something random like that. He remembered sighing in disbelief.
- Who cares about some evaluation written by someone who's never even seen my face just to make money? Fride wins by default.
Fride covered her mouth with a mischievous grin.
- Oh dear, feeling insecure? Scared because your opponent's the legendary Shrine Maiden Fride? Pfft!
- Fine, you wanna bet? Let's do it.
As he bristled and raised an eyebrow, Rista—mid-swing practice, Extreme Star Sword Shyrfang weighted with a boulder tied to its hefty blade for a hundred downward cuts—spoke up.
- Then I'll bet on Lin.
Fride shook her head, saying that wouldn't make a proper bet, but Rista's gaze as she wiped sweat from her face with a towel held a distant wistfulness.
- I'm a FakeWarrior, so I won't live long. Kies is the oldest in our party, so he'll go after me. But Lin's young.
- ……
- He'll outlive us all by far. So his biography will be the thickest.
Whenever Rista spoke of the future, her usual bright demeanor vanished, replaced by an indescribably sad smile.
- I hope I get to see Lin's biography someday.
A sweltering summer day, heat haze rising from the polar ground—that trivial daily moment, a precious memory.
What a joke.
Contrary to Rista's words, he'd been the first in the party to die... No need to check; his biography was probably the thinnest.
'Congrats, Fride. You win. Too bad I can't pay up anymore.'
For reference, comparing Fride and Kies's biographies, Kies's was slightly thicker. Probably because it was an imperial publication.
[1114: Establishment of the Bow Festival.]
Kies seemed deified as the saint of archery. After marriage, he'd opened a dojo and produced many disciples.
'Idiot. If he'd taught drinking techniques, he'd have made a fortune.'
Kies must have thought the same.
No—he'd gone further, teaching archery and drinking in tandem. He'd founded a school called Drunken Archery... exactly what it sounded like: shooting arrows while drunk.
'What an end-times world.'
Surprisingly potent, the school had shattered the old dual dominance in imperial archery, with Drunken Archery and two others now ruling the field.
'This thief—married a twenty-year-old noble girl and even had kids...?'
His descendants apparently inherited the position of Drunken Archery head. He'd lived happily and died peacefully in his family's embrace—what a relief.
Kies's life was straightforward. Fride's, however, was odd. Her death wasn't confirmed.
After the expedition, she'd shuttled between the Crimson Mountains and the red city <Shuriganaqis>, leading the republic as a shrine maiden for years. But in 1168, she vanished without a trace.
[As she did not reappear by 1200, the Republic Witch Association officially declared Fride deceased.]
Suspicious for this flashy psycho to go quietly. Had her personality changed in old age?
"Maybe I should check republic books."
A footstep drew his gaze up. The librarian placed another book on the desk.
"If you're so interested in Rista's party members, try this one. I personally recommend it."
Rista's story?
No need for that...
He scratched his head awkwardly, then froze upon seeing the cover. His mind blanked, pupils shaking.
『Lin and Fride's Disciple, the Ashen Shrine Maiden Tureina's Life and Achievements.』
In that instant, a faint afterimage from distant past flashed through his mind: a girl with sky-blue hair wildly flying as she dashed through a flower field.
- Master! Lin Master!
That pint-sized tomboy had become a shrine maiden...?
If the empire had mages, the republic had witches who commanded spirits with dragon-tongue.
Witches ranked from magus, apprentice witch, witch, to grand witch—the pinnacle being shrine maidens. Only two existed per era.
'Had this kid succeeded Fride?'
More shocking than her meteoric rise was her lifespan.
[1094 ~ 1413]
Was this possible? Could a human live that long?
Had she developed immortality spells? And 1413... that was until Rain's infancy.
His head spun, fingers trembling faintly. As he swallowed and reached to turn the page—
Dong... dong... dong...
The clock tower chimed 6:00 PM. Normally, he'd ignore it and keep reading.
"Sigh."
But he had a date with that arrogant underclassman today. No helping it.
Why was Rista acting so out of character... What a pain.
Cursing his past self, he found the librarian who'd been dusting shelves with magic earlier.
"Is that book popular?"
"Not nonexistent. Not daily rentals, though."
"Can you hold it for me a bit?"
First-years couldn't check out books. Technically, not until second semester.
"I've got something to do. I'll be right back—please?"
The librarian glanced at her watch, looking troubled. After a moment, she reluctantly nodded.
"Can't hold it forever. Until another borrower shows up."
"Don't worry. Won't take long."
Rain waved dismissively and turned away.
"At most fifteen minutes?"
* * *
"Hey, where you going?"
"Idiot! Waste-rank young master versus Chaihak meathead—it's on!"
Dragon Hole Field lay at the northern edge of Delaiten's campus, a massive domed arena.
Seating up to five thousand, it hosted most festivals and practical exams.
Logan chose it for the magic duel precisely because of that.
"Today, I'll show everyone—Logan crushing a magic house heir."
Logan stretched languidly, smiling. Veins and muscles writhed powerfully on his bull-thick neck.
"But Logan versus waste-rank? Outcome's obvious—no point watching."
"There is. When else do you see a smug noble heir get wrecked?"
"Obvious outcome? Wanna bet? Three silver on Young Master Rain."
"You nuts?"
"We'll see who's nuts."
Unusually, professors mingled with students in the stands—Carolline and Owen prominent.
"Who you rooting for, Professor Owen? Fellow Chaihak's Logan? Or your homeroom kid Rain?"
"Blood ties, school ties—don't care. Rooting for whoever's strong enough to make you curse."
"Heh, suuure you are."
Finally, Professor Teon began proceedings at Dragon Hole Field's center.
"This magic duel is officially sanctioned by the school. Terms of the duel will be enforced at the institutional level."
Teon, the judge, was a curt, cold-faced middle-aged man.
"Combatants, step forward."
Logan emerged first. His uniform cloak draped loosely over both shoulders—he flung it off, drawing gasps from the stands.
His hulking, rippling muscles were nearly bare.
Upper body wrapped only in rough bandages, lower in crude leather pants.
"Wow, came prepared."
"Overkill against waste-rank?"
"Nah, that's what Logan needs just to compete."
Complex magic circles tattooed across his body like ink. Wing Type mages activated them situationally to boost physical prowess.
"You're here after all, miss."
In a secluded seat, Gertrude Fenton giggled. Christa, in bizarre disguise, startled, then cleared her throat.
"Not worried. Here to see that jerk get pummeled."
"Yes, yes~."
"One more tease and you're done."
Across the stands, Professor Carolline narrowed her eyes, stroking her chin.
'Wing Type mages—natural predators of apprentices...'
Inexperienced apprentices had slow casting times.
Wing mages closed in before spells could fire, making them deadly foes.
'How will he handle it?'
And then... as Rain stepped out, a brief, eerie silence fell. Followed by raucous laughter.
"What the hell!"
"No way that's real!"
To face Logan, Rain carried... a broom. Not a witch's enchanted one—just a plain broom.
Even Ribarden alumni tilted their heads; for the judging professor, it was baffling.
Teon stared blankly, gesturing for explanation.
"Oh, this? Borrowed from the library. Freshly cleaned—perfect."
"You're... using that in a magic duel?"
"Can't I?"
"Well, not that, but..."
Students laughed harder; Christa and Gertrude's eyes dulled. Logan chuckled mockingly, hands on hips.
"What, white flag? All that bravado? Fine, young master. Forfeit before it hurts."
Blatant contempt.
Rain sighed, scratching his head.
"Sigh. Ever since coming to university... As a senior, it's just so lamentable."
"Senior?"
"Why's the younger generation so glib? Mages aren't witches chanting tongue-twisters—since when did we fight with words?"
As Logan bristled... Teon intervened, separating them.
"Both sides know the terms?"
Logan's loss: Serve as Rural Development Magic Club champion until graduation. Rain's loss: Withdraw from Delaiten.
"Yes."
"No objections to the judgment?"
"Yes."
Teon nodded, stepped back, and spread a wide barrier centered between them.
"Ten-second grace period. Begin."
* * *
Delaiten faculty office.
As Elin Ludwig's assistant sorted schedules and graded assignments, she asked curiously.
"Not going to watch, Professor? I can finish indexing—go ahead."
"Watch what? Nothing to see. They'd slack if I left—figures."
"N-No! What do you take me for!"
Spring breeze through the open window gently stirred Elin's black hair. Eyes closed, she smirked.
- Bro, Rain might have the vessel of a Sage!
Hmph... With talent that impressive—enough to reconcile that stubborn father and brother—what's to see?
"No need. The result was decided from the start."
-----------------------------------------------------------------