~Chapter 131~
“…Looks like there’s something inside. I’ll go first.”
The squirrel that had been sitting on Khalid’s head suddenly jumped down and ran off quickly. It rushed ahead, weaving through the maze-like bookshelves.
I held the lamp and looked at the book right next to me.
“…What’s this…”
Just then, the lower part of the book’s spine peeled off a little.
Pieces of old paper fell away.
The book probably wasn’t scared of my stare…
I frowned.
“Why is the book… acting like this?”
To check, I carefully used levitation magic to pull out a book as gently as I could. As I slowly turned the pages, I suddenly stopped.
“It’s blank.”
The table of contents was completely empty.
To be exact, it wasn’t totally blank. The letters were either erased or so faded that you couldn’t really read the words.
“The books here… are being erased.”
I muttered to myself.
At that moment, the covers of other books started to crumble too.
“No, that’s not it.”
My mind raced quickly. A pinkish light flashed in my eyes.
I pulled out another book to check.
All the books were fading away, starting from the very first page.
“It’s not the book’s contents that are disappearing.”
I quickly looked up.
Endless rows of black bookshelves stretched out before me.
“The books are just getting old.”
Right then—
“Ruby!”
Khalid, who had disappeared between the desks, appeared with a worried face and grabbed my wrist.
“Someone’s coming.”
“What? Someone’s coming to the library at night?”
“Yeah. We have to go now. Hurry.”
Sadly, our exploration had to stop there.
Because we suddenly noticed someone coming, we couldn’t look around the old book storage anymore.
With no choice, I went back to the dorm with Khalid.
“Ugh…”
Tap. I closed the door carefully, and Sortie moved a bit in her sleep. I tiptoed over and got onto my bed as quietly as I could.
“Whew.”
Once I was under the soft blanket, I could finally let out a short breath.
‘The old books are being erased…’
I could still see what I’d just witnessed in my mind.
‘There might be a clue inside to solve my curse problem…’
I was almost sure, thinking about all the magic filling the old book storage.
‘First, I need to find the reason why.’
If this kept up, all the books in the old library would just disappear from getting too old.
“Phew…”
Anyway, I was really tired.
I pulled the blanket all the way up to my nose. Lying in the soft bedding, my body melted like jelly.
‘I can’t keep sneaking around like this every night.’
Going back and forth while avoiding the night guards was so tiring. My heart was still pounding fast.
What if I got caught and was expelled?
What if my secret got out and I brought shame to my family?
‘Void and Liam haven’t gotten kicked out yet, so I can’t be the first…’
Yeah, yeah. I’m a good daughter…
Feeling sleepiness come over me, I suddenly tilted my head.
‘But do I really have to sneak? Technically, the old book storage isn’t off-limits.’
If I get permission, maybe I could go in and look around.
‘Which professor is in charge of the old library…?’
I remembered hearing the name earlier.
Yul… Yul… what was it?
My thoughts got blurry.
“Yaaawn.”
No energy left. I’ll think about it tomorrow.
I rubbed my eyes and let out a big yawn. I’m too tired today, so good night.
Ch. 13
“Hello, I’m Professor Yuliophe Molton, the linguistics professor. I’m also in charge of this camp.”
The next day, we all gathered in a big classroom.
Our real class activities were starting today.
‘The professor in charge of the old book library!’
I stared at the tired-looking young professor.
Yuliophe opened an energy drink and muttered.
“Today we’ll do some simple activities in the morning, and in the afternoon we’ll go on an outside tour… cough, cough.”
He didn’t even finish speaking before he started coughing hard.
Sortie whispered beside me.
“Professor looks really tired.”
“Yeah, you’re right.”
I watched Yuliophe Molton up at the front.
His messy light brown hair, dry skin, and big dark circles under his eyes made him look worn out.
In one hand, he held the energy drink like it was his lifeline. In the other hand, he had an old book.
‘Wait, that book…’
My eyes widened a bit.
“Cough, cough, hack!”
“Professor, are you okay?”
Someone asked, and Yuliophe quickly drank more energy drink. Then he pulled out another can and held it, just in case.
“Of course, of course. You’re just seeing an adult worker who’s always tired. If you learn anything from watching me, please pick your future job carefully. Okay?”
He laughed weakly and gulped down half the drink.
“If you want more opportunities, I recommend entering a top academy like ours… Oh, wait… If more students enter, my work will only increase…”
Yuliophe mumbled seriously, playing with the book in his hand.
Even though he looked half-dead, he still handled the book carefully.
‘That book is definitely an old one.’
Because the letters on the spine were written in an ancient language.
Without thinking, I read the words.
Scenes of Beautiful Bamiless
‘It must be a record of the old capital.’
That’s what I guessed.
“Professor seems to have a lot on his mind,” Sortie whispered.
“Yeah, you’re right,” I replied.
“Anyway, let’s all have fun together. On the last night, we’ll have a presentation and an outdoor party at Lake Reim. Extra work hours, fun, right?”
The professor forced a smile.
“Yes,” everyone replied.
“Haha. You’re all cute,” Yuliophe said, slumping into his chair like a person waiting for the last leaf to fall.
“Cough, cough. Wait, where’s my drink…”
He searched his inner pocket with shaky hands. It looked like he’d already finished them all.
“Okay, everyone, calm down.”
But really, he needed to calm down himself.
“Can everyone behave for a while? Just read the picture books in front of you. I have to go get something quickly…”
“Yes,” the kids answered, feeling a bit sorry for him. The professor hurried out, still holding the old book tight.
“…Will Professor Yuliophe even survive until the last day?”
Someone whispered.
“Please let our professor make it…”
The kids put their hands together and prayed for him.
Anyway, we quietly read the storybooks that were already set out.
‘But why did he bring the old book?’
I flipped through the picture book, thinking.
‘If he’s in charge of the old library, he must know there’s a problem with the books… Or maybe he doesn’t?’
I remembered the professor’s zombie-like face.
‘Yuliophe Molton…’
If I remember right, his ending in the original story wasn’t very good.
As I was slowly thinking about Yuliophe, something tapped my shoulder and landed on my desk.
“What’s this?”
It was a crumpled note, half-open, so I couldn’t help but read it.
Stuttering Jerdin! Go home!
It was written in red.
‘Ugh, this again.’
I looked around and spotted a boy sitting diagonally from me, head lowered. It was the same boy who’d been teased by Haben yesterday. His hair was so fluffy, he looked like a little poodle.
“Hey. Give it here.”
Just then, Haben snatched the note from my hand.
“What are you looking at? Gonna talk back again?”
I took a deep breath. Just stay calm.
“Tsk, so weak!” Haben sneered, thinking I was scared, then walked off.
“What’s wrong with him…” Sortie glared at Haben as he walked away.
Now, Haben started to really pick on Jerdin.
“Oh, you brought so many pens! How’d you buy them? They even have jewels—must be fake, right?”
“No! Th-that was a gift from m-my mother…!”
The fluffy-haired boy couldn’t take it anymore and jumped up. That moment, Haben threw the pen on purpose.
The pen rolled and stopped right at my foot.
“…”
“Hey. Pick it up and bring it over.”
