Chapter 22

### Chapter 22: A Peaceful Week (4)

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#9

Today, it seemed we were only going to assess our levels, but the class ended up with us practicing swordsmanship against dummies throughout the lesson.

Sasha mentioned that Abel's assistant would provide separate training. She said we needed to learn something first to keep up with the class...

Anyway, the swordsmanship class ended around 1 PM, and Gabriel, Stella, and I went to the student cafeteria for a quick lunch.

— Stella, your hair color is really pretty. Is it genetic?

— ...E, Edgio, what do you think?

— No, seriously. Just a moment. I asked you.

Our meal together was... how to describe it.

Gabriel kept talking to Stella, but Stella seemed to either ignore or feel uncomfortable with Gabriel's words, and she would often turn Gabriel's questions back to me in a peculiar way.

“Edgio.”

“Yeah?”

“You... are a creature that shouldn’t exist.”

...As we left the cafeteria, Gabriel squeezed my shoulder a few times with a force that seemed to carry emotion, then left, saying he had a lecture to attend.

What did I do wrong? I don't know.

Stella also parted ways with me, saying she would go back to the dorm to rest. With nothing to do until the 3 PM lecture on Extra-Sensory Perception, I considered going to the training ground but then glanced at a certain corner.

“...”

A building not far away.

Some of the people entering and exiting the grand building were holding a few books in their hands.

“...Hmm.”

What should I do?

I didn't really have the leisure or desire to read, but I was curious about the interior.

Just to take a look.

I started walking toward the library's entrance.

#10

The Epic Class library has a specific name.

It's called the Hawkma Hall.

The entire building was a library.

‘This... is no joke.’

The cool air and familiar scent of paper tickled my nose.

Inside the door, where I showed my student ID, a few people were visible in the vast interior space.

The ceiling was so high that I had to crane my neck to see it, and the shelves were packed with books all the way to the top.

Ladders were placed here and there to reach the higher books, and several large tables were set up on each floor.

It was probably about three times the size of the Lorson Academy library. I opened my mouth in amazement at the grandeur that made my chest swell.

Indeed, this is the Epic Class. The library within the academy boasts the highest standards in the empire.

Most interestingly, there were dedicated reading cubicles for students in a corner.

I didn't come here to read, but it made me want to pick something up and go inside.

Thud, thud—

The grand scenery of the library, which I couldn't help but admire, drew me further inside.

The quiet and peaceful atmosphere made the sound of my footsteps particularly loud.

I slowly strolled through the countless books, glancing at the rare old books stored in the shelves.

Hmm.

It's reassuring.

It feels like I'm back home.

Although I don't have particularly good feelings about books now, seeing such a magnificent library inevitably piqued my interest...

As I ran my fingers over the book covers.

I wasn't planning to pick anything out, but I stopped at a certain spot in the literature section and, after some thought, naturally picked up a book.

“...”

Flip, flip.

A familiar book.

A favorite book by a favorite author.

[Our World / By Yucremian]

A story about a man and a woman surviving in a world that has ended, famous among readers for its profound ending.

The moment I saw the book cover.

— ...Oh, I like that book too.

Very faintly and dimly.

It felt like a hallucination from a buried memory.

...I haven't read this book since then.

If I were to read it now, it would probably be the fifth time. Of course, that will never happen.

As I flipped through the old book's cover and read the opening lines, which set up an important plot point, I abruptly closed the book.

I quietly returned it to the shelf.

I already knew the content. I had memorized the lines of specific characters on certain pages. After reading it four times, what was the point of reading it again...

In that sense.

There was no reason to open this book again.

“...Sigh.”

For some reason, I felt like exercising.

To take a quick shower and visit the training ground, I sighed meaninglessly and descended the stairs to leave the library.

#11

“...Sigh.”

Hawkma Hall, 3rd floor.

While taking a short break, Miu instinctively hid behind a bookshelf when she noticed a familiar back and watched Edgio walk down the stairs.

Silently.

After confirming he had completely left the building, she quietly moved to the spot where Edgio had been.

She didn't avoid Edgio because she wanted to.

But in such a quiet place, she thought it would disturb his reading, so she just hid behind a bookshelf for a moment.

...I have to apologize to him properly someday.

Will I get the chance?

While having such a sad thought, Miu slowly looked around the bookshelves.

“...Huh?”

At the spot where Edgio had been, a book's cover was slightly protruding forward compared to the others on either side.

Miu paused for a moment.

Swoosh.

She eventually silently and carefully pulled out the book.

[Our World / By Yucremian]

“...”

Miu's eyes flickered as she ran her fingers over the cover, and she bit her lip as if trying to hold back something.

Flip, flip...

For quite a long time.

Miu very slowly and gently caressed the book's cover, which still held Edgio's warmth, and gradually lowered her head.

#12

The final lecture of Tuesday was approaching.

After spending some enjoyable time with heavy barbells at the training ground and taking a refreshing cold shower, I quickly headed to the Daart Hall where the lecture on Extra-Sensory Perception was held.

‘Not many people around.’

The interior was relatively quiet compared to other buildings.

“...Hmm?”

Looking for the elevator to go to the 2nd floor where the lecture room was, I noticed someone waiting in front of it.

Blonde hair that swayed like an animal's tail.

“...”

She seemed to be deep in thought, standing with her arms crossed as the elevator slowly descended from the 7th floor.

Approaching her from behind, I whispered in her ear.

“Boo.”

“—Gyahaaa?!”

Reacting well, as expected!

Yuri, who made a strange sound and jumped up, quickly turned around with her hands on her shoulders.

“W, w, w, what...?”

Her face, which was momentarily terrified, soon turned red, and she narrowed her eyes in annoyance upon realizing I was the culprit.

“You scared me! What are you doing, you lunatic!”

I laughed and waved my hand.

“Hi, Yuri. We meet here.”

“I can't greet you—?!”

Yuri's scream echoed through the hallway. She has a loud voice.

Covering my ears for a moment, I removed my hand and asked.

“What were you thinking so hard about? You didn't even notice someone right behind you.”

“...It's none of your business.”

Yuri, who seemed too bothered to respond to my question, pressed her forehead with her fingers and turned away from me.

“What, are you mad?”

In response to my question, Yuri raised her voice.

“...Yeah, I'm mad. Why? So, can you move a bit?”

“Sorry. I need to take this to go to class.”

“...”

“Hey, aren't you going to class too? Did you sign up for the lecture on Extra-Sensory Perception?”

“...Sigh.”

From her reaction, it seems she did.

This will be an interesting class.

Vroom—

With a sigh that seemed to convey a deep regret, Yuri and I got on the arriving elevator and moved to the 2nd floor.

#13

During the elevator ride, I bowed deeply to apologize to Yuri for scaring her.

She seemed annoyed for a moment but eventually calmed down, warning me that if I did it again, she would hit me without hesitation, and then entered the lecture room with me.

“Hey, Gabriel.”

The first person I saw was Gabriel, sitting at the front. He must have come straight here after his lecture ended.

Gabriel, who looked tired, raised his head slightly to look at me and waved his hand.

“Go away, Edgio. I don't want to sit next to you today.”

“Huh? Why?”

Being rejected by a friend is hurtful.

But I didn't obediently listen to Gabriel. I quickly sat down next to him.

Gabriel made a pained expression.

“I said, go away.”

“What, why? Why are you acting like this.”

Gabriel gave a weak smile.

“Seeing your face up close makes me lose all my confidence. Eh? Isn't that too much? It's not right to leave a friend behind and do so well on your own.”

“...What kind of nonsense is that?”

Gabriel slowly shrugged.

“Sigh... Forget it, forget it. What does sympathy know... Ow! Ah, I get it! I get it! It was just a joke!”

What kind of nonsense are you spouting in front of kids.

While pulling Gabriel's earlobe with my index finger, I faintly heard Yuri's sigh from a distance.

Thus.

Gabriel and I, and Yuri, and Stella, who was waving at me from the back.

I also noticed two of the original group of male students looking at us with displeasure.

There are about 6 students in total.

A small number.

Well, it's not an ordinary lecture.

After pulling Gabriel's earlobe a few more times to vent his lingering frustration, the clock on the wall struck 3 PM.

Ding—

The nearby door opened on cue.

“Oh... Everyone is here?”

Wearing a fluttering navy robe.

A mature and gentle beauty with long, wavy light hair.

“...Wow.”

Gabriel, with his mouth slightly open, muttered softly.

So, this is...

Though it might be disrespectful to a specific person...

The overwhelming presence of her chest, which boasted a size that was the opposite of Yuri's, violently shook with each soft step.

She crossed her legs and walked to the podium, then opened her mouth with a fresh smile.

“Nice to meet you, everyone.”

Is she really human?

Wouldn't it be tiring to carry that around?

“My name is Nadia Helania. I will be teaching you Extra-Sensory Perception from today.”

Would you be able to see the floor if you bowed?

It seems like it could easily hold four mugs.

“...And I am not from the Frontier, but a visiting professor from outside. If you need to see me, please contact the main office in advance.”

While harboring such pure curiosity, I felt Nadia's gaze suddenly fix on me.

I felt a bit embarrassed, thinking I had been staring too much, but Nadia just looked at me, especially my eyes, for a long time without any criticism.

Was she giving me a silent warning?

Shiver.

More than that, a chill ran down my spine for no reason, and I shivered slightly as if I were cold.

What should I say?

Despite the gentle curve of Nadia's lips, I couldn't detect any sense of discomfort—

“With that said.”

Her eyes, which remained open, were incredibly calm.

“I look forward to working with you all.”

...For some reason, it didn't feel like she was smiling at all.

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