Why does it feel like I'm forgetting something?…
I swallowed my saliva. It's probably not that important.
"Uhm, who are you?" I smiled awkwardly. Inside, not so much—because seriously, who the hell are these kids?
Picking on someone to look good in front of a woman? They really need some disciplining. But I can't do that in a library with a no-fighting rule.
People from different careers, classes, and backgrounds began to gather around us. I didn't even notice until the murmurs built. The trio noticed though, eyes darting, looking for a way to humiliate me.
A laugh came out from the auburn-haired man with a sharp jaw, taller than me, clearly the leader. "Ha! This prick doesn't remember us. Then let's make you remember."
"Yeah! Let's make him remember!" another one chimed in—the smallest one with brown hair, following the leader like a baby chick chasing its mother. Pfft.
A smile tugged at my lips, turning them upward at the edges subconsciously.
"Oh? This loser dares to smile in this situation?" The woman-pleaser smirked, trying to find an excuse to beat me up. "You find this funny, huh? Then let's teach you a lesson."
"Yeah! Let's teach him a lesson!" repeated the other one at the back with grayish-black hair. He seemed the most calm—ironically making him the funniest of the bunch.
"Can you guys just stop?" The royal blue-haired woman pleaded.
What the—? I thought she'd act like some arrogant spoiled noble princess…
The trio froze in shock. The leader stuttered, "B-But why?!"
Oh, this guy… pfft. The way he looked back at me while whining nearly made me burst out laughing. I bit my lip, trying to hold it in, tears of joy stinging at the edges of my eyes.
"Phew… ah. Sorry, you can't fight here anyways. The sign right behind me says it." I pointed over my shoulder with my thumb. Only then did I realize just how many eyes were on us.
By now, a huge crowd had gathered. Whispering. Judging.
"Look, those nobles are bothering that commoner."
"But he's completely won over them."
"That commoner's good."
I awkwardly smiled. "If I may… I need to go now. Still need to read."
"Wait what? Wait—no! Wait!" the leader cried as I ran toward the wizardry section, his pride crumbling in front of everyone.
The blue-haired woman, bored of the whole thing, left too.
"Guys! Why would you just repeat after me!" he yelled at his lackeys.
"Sorry?" they muttered.
•••
After running, I looked back. No one followed.
"Phew…" I exhaled, relieved.
My fingers brushed along the spines of books until one caught my eye. I pulled it free and opened it.
Flipping through the pages, I realized this was far too advanced. Most of the magic teachings I had learned… gone from memory.
…Ah. I'm screwed.
The formulas and circles stared back at me like mocking glyphs. Written in Lewnen, the northern language—I understood the words, but not the meaning behind the formulas.
"Why is this so hard?…"
"Ah… I should've listened in magic studies class." I closed the book and carefully slid it back. A wave of regret gnawed at me.
I walked to the section most recommended for 1st-years of the Royal Academy.
Hopefully these are actually readable.
I sighed and pulled out a book titled Magic for New Wizards.
This looks good… Who's the author? Let's see—Morgan… Leiwnan Von Pritscher.
Wait. Isn't this the legendary arcane wizard from a thousand years ago? My eyes widened as I flipped to the first page, looking for a signature.
It's really his. "Weren't these only supposed to exist in the Capital's Royal Academy library… and the Imperial Archive?"
A treasure. Right here.
I sat at the nearest table, opening to page one.
—If you are reading this, I suppose you are in dire need of knowledge as a new mage? If you are, this book of mine is perfect for you—
"Excuse me."
A voice called out, breaking my focus. Who dares disturb my reading time?
I turned. Huh?… The blue-haired woman from earlier.
"Uh, what is it?" I asked, staring at her golden eyes.
"Is someone sitting here?" she asked, holding three books, pointing at the chair across from me. Weird—so many empty seats, and she chooses here?
"…No."
"Oh, thanks." She pulled the chair, the wooden legs creaking across the floor. My senses weren't dulled—I caught every sound.
"By the way, my name's Anastasia of House Veythar. Nice to meet you, Cassian of House Caervale, right?" Her smile was genuine, radiating.
"…Yeah." I instinctively replied. House Veythar? Wait… is this the Anastasia of the Marquis family? Why the hell would she try to befriend Cassian? I mean… I am acting as Cassian, but still…
My eyes darted back to the book. If I mess with her, I'm finished.
"Hm? Why're you sweating?" she tilted her head.
"Haha… nothing." I chuckled awkwardly. Damn it. The last thing I need is a Marquis' daughter falling in love with me.
Hopefully she doesn't. I don't want to deal with that. Plus, I'm almost thirty…
"Hm? Alright, I'll continue reading." She spoke, lowering her books. Three of them. Wait—aren't those advanced-level grimoires?…
"Oh wait, isn't that the book by Morgan Leiwnan Von Pritscher?! That's my favorite book!" She leaned forward, practically glowing with excitement.
"It's so well written and easy to understand! You have good taste!"
And then she talked.
And talked.
And talked.
Over an hour of pure magic rants spilled from her lips, covering every detail, every tangent. She was practically glowing while explaining, and me? Sitting here pretending I wasn't drowning.
Magic theory, formulas, battle applications—things I absolutely knew nothing about. But every word was valuable. I memorized them carefully, carving each point into my mind.
By the time she left, I'd finished Pritscher's book. My brain felt cooked.
I stood, pushing my chair back. Where did this book belong again?… Oh right. I slid it back into place, my movements careful like returning a holy relic.
I… I'll just stay home next time.
I don't want to hear another one of Anastasia's rants.
Even though she'd handed me information that lit a fire in my brain, it drained me dry, made me want to collapse.
I sighed, exhaustion weighing on me, and walked out of the wizardry section. More students kept streaming in. The sun said it was about 3 p.m., but I already felt like it was midnight.
That conversation really pulled the life out of me.
Then, a commotion. A large crowd of voices snapped me back to reality.
I turned my head instinctively. A group of nobles. At the center—him. The white-haired man. The leader.
His gaze locked onto mine. A chill passed through me.
…He noticed me.
Am I really that noticeable? My teeth clenched.
I steadied myself and walked up to the cashier.
"I'm checking out. Keep the change."
"Huh? But sir, it's only been an hour and forty minutes! You still have twen—"
I was already walking away, leaving the cashier staring, shocked that I'd wasted fifteen quarters just like that.
Today was exhausting.
Should I just go straight home and sleep?
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-End of Chapter-
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