#83 The Librarian Ernst (4) – The Result of Ignoring Advice

Lest there be any misunderstanding, Eris wasn’t exactly avoiding her studies and just goofing off.

Her ambition to become a grand mage was genuine, and her desire to delve into new treatises held no falsehood.

It was simply that Eris was the type to tackle bothersome, tedious tasks first.

When eating, she’d start with the least enjoyable parts, saving the best for last; with homework, she wouldn’t procrastinate until the last minute but would finish it as soon as she received it.

From Eris’s perspective, reading the book that ill-tempered librarian gave her was no different from homework.

Thus, she finished it before anything else, it wasn’t because she hated studying and preferred reading novels.

…Well, it was a miscalculation to just read it straight through when she could have stopped at a reasonable point and continued the next day, but thanks to that, she saved time, so ultimately, there were no issues.

Lunchtime.

As Eris chased away the drowsiness brought on by a lack of sleep and tedious classes with a cup of coffee, the noble ladies at her table began to chatter about this and that.

“Oh, did you all hear? Apparently, a weirdo has appeared at Lawton Academy.”

“A weirdo?”

“The adopted son of Count Grimrun. His theory scores are the lowest of the low, but no one can keep up with him in practical lessons. Rumor has it, he’ll be one of the representatives at the upcoming exchange.”

The Kingdom of Ravelossia currently had four ‘Academies’.

Each academy held exchanges periodically to foster goodwill, but as is typical with such events, competition and comparison between the academies were frequent.

The highlight, in particular, was the mock battle where representative students from each academy competed against each other. Members of the royal family and the Sky Academy were among the spectators, so students with strong ambitions for success would strive to be chosen as their academy’s representative at any cost.

Of course, it wasn’t a story that greatly concerned Eris.

Her skills were unparalleled within Aldridge Academy, to the point that it was a question of who else to send if not her. In fact, at the previous exchange, she had crushed the representatives of other academies with overwhelming skill.

“What are your thoughts, Lady Eris?”

*What do I think? It’s unpleasant enough to be compared to students from such a low-level place.*

“You can win this time as well, just like last time, right? Right?”

*Winning is obvious. Is that even a question?*

“Our academy can’t fall behind the others! That’s the only way I can brag to my parents!”

*Even if Aldridge Academy wins, it’s because I’m outstanding, not you. What exactly are you bragging about?*

While answering the ladies’ questions with cynical thoughts inwardly, Eris kept her expression neutral and opened her mouth with a calm tone.

“Thank you for your anticipation. The world of magic is a place where one never knows what might occur, so complacency is forbidden. Still, I intend to do my utmost.”

At Eris’ words, delivered with a simultaneous humility and grace, the young ladies responded like nestlings chirping in a flurry.

Dealing with them with a crafted smile, Eris sighed inwardly.

A fatigue, different from the physical kind, settled upon her.

Rather than waste time and mental energy on such pointless matters, it would be more beneficial to read even that novel the librarian had given her…

‘…No, what preposterous thoughts.’

Eris made a conscious effort to banish the ruminations surfacing in her mind.

She must still be half-asleep, she reasoned, deciding that she needed another cup of coffee.

*

It was the third day since Eris had received the treatise that she revisited the library.

And the most astonished by that fact was none other than Eris herself.

‘To completely read and internalize a theoretical text in a mere three days…’

Considering it had once taken her almost three weeks of struggling to master a treatise of a similar level, the difference was truly astonishing.

To think the existence of an easily readable annotation could make such a difference in the outcome.

Considering the grimoire she had yet to obtain, discovering that library was, in many respects, simply fortunate.

If only there wasn’t that certain librarian who, regardless of whether a patron entered or not, remained engrossed in their own book behind the counter, it would have been an even greater fortune.

“Ahem!”

With a clearing of her throat, Eris made her presence known. Only then did the librarian’s eyes turn towards her.

Even as she thought their gaze was as sharp as ever, Eris voiced her complaint.

“…Are you unfamiliar with the concept of customer service?”

The librarian shrugged.

“It is impossible for every individual employed in a particular profession to be flawless in that profession. Perhaps it’s not so bad to have a librarian who lacks in one area like this.”

Could this be an attempt at humor?

Eris stared intently at the librarian, but deciphering any emotion from that expressionless face proved an arduous task.

Ultimately, she shook her head and returned the books.

The original treatise. The annotated treatise. And one novel that was tolerably readable, or rather, useless.

“It would be even better if the next book could be a grimoire, though.”

“Regrettably, I cannot give you a definitive answer on that.”

“Isn’t it the role of a librarian to find the book a customer requests?”

“If it’s a book on the first floor, yes. The ones on the second floor are closer to something that isn’t for sale if you want to be exact.”

She wouldn’t concede a single word, no matter what.

Eris sighed and extended her hand.

“Fine, just give me the question.”

“As you wish.”

The librarian retrieved a slip of paper from a drawer and handed it to Eris.

[Within the story, the protagonist Ralph lures an ogre, driven mad by hunger, towards a cottage inhabited by a kind elderly couple in order to prevent it from reaching the village. Thanks to Ralph, the villagers are saved from a crisis and hail him as a hero, but Ralph himself is tormented by guilt. What are your thoughts on Ralph’s actions?]

Eris studied the question intently, soon realizing something and raising an objection.

“Wait a moment, this is a question with no clear-cut answer.”

“That’s quite alright. Questions regarding personal impressions, so long as there is something written, will be considered a correct answer, regardless of what it is.”

“Are you serious?”

“What would be the point in lying about something like this?”

To discern the other party’s sincerity, Eris stared intently at his face, but the librarian’s expression remained frustratingly unchanged.

Eris paused to deliberate.

Judging purely by the difficulty of the question itself, it was incredibly easy.

She could, in the most extreme case, simply write a single word and pass.

But.

‘…Ultimately, this man holds the key to my reward.’

Based on her experiences thus far, even if Eris were to pass by using such a trick, the librarian would still honor his promise.

However, he’d likely bring her some useless piece of junk from the second floor among the books, something of no value to Eris. It wouldn’t be a breach of the agreement.

In that case, answering earnestly would be a more advantageous course of action to receive a good reward, but…

“Hmm.”

Eris hesitated, unable to speak easily.

If she were asked to write down specific content from a book, it would be simple. She would just need to draw the information from her memory.

However, speaking her own impressions like this was rather awkward. The standards were not clearly defined.

‘…No, this is all for the sake of the Grimoire.’

A chance to improve her abilities was right before her eyes; could a little embarrassment truly matter?

Eris forced herself to appear composed and opened her mouth.

“I think the protagonist is incredibly foolish.”

“Oh? Why is that?”

“If the protagonist hadn’t made that choice there, the ogre would have headed to the village, and undoubtedly, there would have been a tremendous loss of life. The lives of two old people and the lives of the entire village aren’t even comparable. The protagonist did the right thing.”

“If that were all, he wouldn’t be a fool, but a wise man, no?”

“No, he’s a fool.”

Eris stated firmly.

“Even while suffering so much, the protagonist takes no action. Far from visiting the bereaved family of the old couple to offer compensation, he fears his misdeed will be exposed and doesn’t even create a grave for them. Yet, he’s afraid to sleep every night, forcing himself into slumber with alcohol. Isn’t that neither here nor there?”

If he believes what he did was right, he should live with his chest held high.

If he believes what he did was wrong, he should strive to atone for his sin.

Maintaining an ambiguous attitude, failing to do either, is the truest foolishness, Eris harshly criticized.

“Indeed.”

The librarian nodded.

Eris asked,

“Do you perhaps share my sentiment?”

“No, not at all. On the contrary, I would have felt revulsion if the protagonist had committed such an act and then brazenly declared himself a hero. But that’s why it’s even better, isn’t it? Comparing differing opinions is a delightful thing.”

The librarian’s expression remained impassive, but his eyes seemed slightly gentler than usual.

“This is the compensation and the books for the next problem.”

With those words, the librarian retrieved five books and handed them to Eris.

Two theoretical texts and their commentaries. Finally, one novel.

“That’s quite a bit, isn’t it?”

“You approached it with such seriousness, there should be compensation befitting it.”

“Hmph. Glad you realize that.”

Even as she scoffed, Eris couldn’t hide the satisfied look on her face.

It was a similar sense of fulfillment to when she had successfully completed a difficult task assigned by her master and received praise.

‘…No, no. Get a grip. This entire situation is strange from the start!’

Alarmed by how easily she was about to be tamed, Eris glared at the librarian.

It was a glare that would have made fellow students from the same institute tremble in fear, wondering if they had done something wrong.

“Ah, in addition, I recommend reading the novel last. It will be less of a hindrance to your studies that way.”

However, it had no effect on the librarian whatsoever.

Suppressing the urge to land a blow on that shameless, smooth face, Eris left the library without a word of farewell.

The librarian’s parting words, “I look forward to your next visit,” felt particularly grating.

*

That night.

“…If there were flaws in the book, one could at least complain.”

Taking stock of the books she’d received, Eris let out a sigh that wasn’t quite a complaint.

The treatise laid out theories so advanced, the lowliest academies wouldn’t dare touch them, while the commentary broke down those thorny concepts into easily digestible pieces, planting them neatly inside the reader’s mind.

Perhaps it’s easier to understand as the difference between chewing on unground wheat versus savoring a cake made with refined flour.

Eris had seen genuine grimoires back when she lived with her master, but to be honest, she felt these treatises and commentaries were more valuable than most mediocre spellbooks.

Her heart longed to plunge straight into the theoretical texts, but instead, she set aside the books she’d been reading and picked up a novel tucked away in the corner.

“Said I should read it last, that it would be a distraction to my studies? Hmph.”

Such a paltry provocation, Eris scoffed.

She had read the novel first the last time she rented, too, but all that had happened was a slight reduction in her sleep on the first night; it hadn’t interfered with her devotion to the other treatises.

After all, what could a single novel do but make one laugh or cry briefly? It couldn’t affect her other endeavors.

With an air of self-assurance, Eris opened the book to the first page.

A detective protagonist, striking in his hunting cap, coat, and pipe.

A faithful assistant, always at his side like licorice.

A rival radiating wicked charisma.

The protagonist, together with his rival, plummeted into a waterfall –

[–To be continued in the next volume.]

“……”

Eris fell silent.

A very, very long silence.