On the day the exam results were announced, after class had ended, Luna walked to the library alone. Before joining the student council, she and Rudy had gone to the library together almost every day. With him gone, the void felt even larger. "Rudy... Is he alright?" Rudy hadn't managed to secure the top spot this time. Luna knew him as a friend who was entirely focused on his studies, never shifting his attention elsewhere. He must have wanted the top seat so badly. "His expression wasn't good." Rudy usually didn't have much variation in his facial expressions. However, today was different. His sharp gaze had blurred slightly, and the corners of his mouth had curled. It was a complicated expression, difficult to describe. It was clear he had suffered a great disappointment. On the other hand, Luna's grades had improved significantly. She had achieved good results, studying daily with Rudy. Although she was happy about her improvement, she felt guilty. Rudy had been supporting her tuition fees and giving her an allowance, in exchange for her research. Yet, she hadn't been able to help him in any way. "…This idiot! What's the point if you only focus on your studies!" Luna ruffled her own hair vigorously. She had conducted research alongside her midterm studies but hadn't produced any significant results. Moreover, she hadn't been able to create the magic circle Rudy had requested. Instead, he had asked Professor Cromwell for help and shared various information with her, which had been a significant learning experience. "Ah…" Professor Mcguire had given her a limited timeframe, but Rudy hadn't. He trusted her because he believed in her potential. She didn't want to betray that trust. At the moment, there wasn't much she could do for Rudy. No matter what she said, she doubted it would console him. The only thing she could do was show him impressive research results—so he would no longer worry about his grades and become interested in research instead. She wanted to show him fascinating research so that he wouldn't even think about his performance. She believed that was the best consolation she could offer. The midterm exams were over, and there was plenty of time. Rika and Ena had suggested going to a restaurant near the academy the next day. However, Luna vowed not to go anywhere until she achieved some research results! With the exams over, classes ended early, providing her with ample time for research. "I'll… focus on my research!"
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Raei Translations
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Shortly after… "Ugh…" Luna lay sprawled on the library desk, surrounded by a vast number of books and papers—evidence of her efforts. "Is this not it either?" Luna flipped through her research papers, discarding them to the side. "Sigh… Should I start over from the beginning?" Luna started browsing the books again. She had already abandoned three or four research projects. Some research couldn't proceed further due to her lack of ability, while others were fundamentally flawed from the outset. "I don't even know where to start now…" I've already read the beginner magic books countless times. However, these fields had been extensively researched, and I couldn't see any part that needed further study. Thus, I dedicated my research to intermediate magic circles. Even if I could only use basic magic, I could utilize more advanced spells if I had a properly drawn magic circle and scrolls. But it was much more challenging. "There are no more books to read…" The library had countless books, but the ones in the fields I understood and excelled in were limited. At that moment, Luna caught sight of the magic book given by her benefactor. "…Can I understand it now?" When she first saw it, she didn't know anything about its contents. However, she had changed since then. She was slowly able to read magic circles related to intermediate magic. -Open the magic book when you can handle it properly. Suddenly, Luna remembered the letter from her benefactor who gave her the magic book. She still didn't fully understand the meaning behind those words. When she first saw that message, she was frightened. She wondered if something strange would happen when she unfolded the magic book. One day, unable to contain her curiosity, she opened the magic book. But nothing happened. She just couldn't understand its contents. Luna picked up the magic book after a long time. She hesitated for a moment as she looked at its cover. "What's the harm?" Luna opened the magic book. She started flipping through it, scanning each page. She could understand some of the contents, but most of it was unfamiliar. "Ugh…" There were parts she couldn't even read. "It's difficult…" As she flipped through the pages, Luna noticed a familiar magic circle. "…A square." It was a square magic circle, just like the one she first drew. "Did I recall this magic circle after seeing this?" She had just discovered this magic circle in the magic book. But as soon as she saw the magic circle, she felt somewhat disappointed. Rudy praised her for her brilliant idea, but it wasn't that extraordinary after all. Perhaps her unconscious memory from her childhood allowed her to create that magic circle. "Was it just… good luck?" Luna gently traced the square magic circle with her finger. Despite being the same square magic circle, she couldn't decipher it at all. It was a high-level magic circle. I wish I could use such a magic circle… then I could help Rudy, right? "Huh…?" As soon as she thought about it, the magic circle began to emit a bright light. "What's happening…?" Luna felt her mana draining from her body. -Zap…! "Ah…" And with a spark, her vision blurred. -Kwoooooong!!! Then, a powerful wind and flame burst from Luna's body.
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"Luna...!" Flames were bursting out from the library. It didn't seem like the fire had spread outside. I rushed toward the library immediately. It must be Luna. Today, she had said she would be studying at the library. But something was strange. The scale of the fire was not what I had seen in the game. Maybe the incident was pushed back. Come to think of it, the magic I saw last time was strange too. When I tried to use magic on Locke, the power of the magic seemed stronger than I had expected. I was able to use magic at a level similar to mine. Of course, I don't specialize in one attribute, so the power of each spell is weak. Even so, I was still among the stronger students. "Has Luna's power increased compared to in the game?" This wasn't good. Luna could avoid punishment in the game because the situation was minor. There were many books in the library, but they were protected by magic, so there was no damage to them. The incident occurred late in the evening, so there were no casualties. She was able to avoid punishment because there was no significant damage. But now, the situation was serious. As I approached, many people were watching the scene in front of the library. The student council members were preventing people from getting close to the library, and there was a familiar person at the front. "Astina, senior." Astina turned to look at me after hearing my voice. She had arrived before me, despite being farther away. She seemed to have used magic to get here. "Rudy?" Astina looked back at the library. "The flames don't seem too strong. It doesn't look like the library itself is on fire." Astina briefly explained the situation. She was right. Luna's mana shouldn't be enough to burn down the entire library. The library, protected by magic, wouldn't burn so easily. Astina began to manipulate her mana. "I'll put out the fire." As Astina reached out to use magic, I grabbed her wrist. "You can't." "What?" Astina looked at me, her expression full of doubt. Thud! "Look! Someone's coming out!" Hearing someone's shout, I looked toward the library's entrance. The library door opened, and someone staggered out. "Ugh..." Astina and I rushed over to the person. When we saw their face, we realized it was the librarian in charge of the library. "Are you alright?" I asked, and they gave a slight nod. "Is there anyone else inside?" "No... I was the only librarian... But Luna... Luna Railer..." "Luna? Luna Railer?" When Astina asked the librarian, they nodded. "Yes... I saw her studying earlier, but I haven't seen her since..." "Oh, Luna's fine. She was with me just a moment ago." "What?" When I said that, Astina and the librarian looked at me. "Ah... you must be the friend who's with Luna every day... In that case, there's nobody inside the library." The librarian let out a sigh of relief. However, Astina wasn't relieved. She stared at me intently. "One of the disciplinary committee members, please take this person to the infirmary." "Yes!" After I shouted that, someone came and escorted the librarian away. "Rudy Astria, weren't you with me just now?" Astina asked with a face full of suspicion. For now, I told her the truth. "Luna is inside." We began conversing in a low voice, quiet enough not to be overheard. "Then, why did you say she's somewhere else?" "Luna is the one who caused this fire." "What? The fire? Luna Railer can only handle basic level magic, right?" Astina looked at the blazing library. Indeed, the fire wasn't the size Luna could have caused. However, there was a possible explanation. "It's a mana explosion. The result of a mental corruption caused by the misuse of dark magic." Mana explosion. A typical symptom that occurs when dark magic is misused. All the mana within oneself is expelled outward. However, since pure mana can't be expelled, the available magic spells are used haphazardly. And since she lost consciousness, magic spells would be bursting out uncontrollably from her body. "How do you know this?" Astina looked at me with disbelief. "I'll explain it later. For now, we can't put out the fire immediately. If we do, the disciplinary committee will enter the library and assess the situation, making it impossible to save Luna." "Are you worried about Luna Railer being punished?" "That, and there are other complications." If such a fire occurred, they would investigate the inside thoroughly, and then it would become evident that Luna caused the incident. I had to erase those traces. There were other reasons as well, but explaining them would only waste time. Right now, quick action was essential. "I'll go inside." "What?" Astina frowned at my words. "What are you planning to do by going in? It'd be better for me to go." "No, Astina. You just need to make sure nobody else enters. Tell them it's too dangerous for students to put out the fire, and we should wait for the staff." To be honest, other students wouldn't be able to put out this fire, even with Astina. The third-year students usually have their internships during the first semester, so they're not around. There was no one in the academy capable of extinguishing the fire at this moment. The professors and teaching assistants would likely be out for dinner or some event since it's the last day of exams. If we wait for them, we should be able to buy enough time. "Can't you use your position as president to convince them?" "It's possible to stall until the staff arrives, but you're the problem. A mana explosion is difficult to handle, even for someone as talented as you, right?" Astina was right. But I had to do it. "I'll give it a try." After all, if time runs out, it's a failure. If I fail, Luna's spellbook will be taken away, and she will be punished. Judging by the current situation, it wouldn't end with a small punishment. A major one, like suspension, could be imposed. I cared about the spellbook, but I didn't want Luna to suffer such punishment. Luna was my first friend since I came here. She was the one who got along with me, even when everyone else was pointing fingers and cursing at me. I didn't want to cause her any pain. With that thought in mind, I made up my mind. It was better to take on the challenge rather than wasting time thinking about it. "I'm going in right now." "Hey~ where do you think you're going alone?" Rie, the first princess, appeared between the disciplinary committee members blocking my way. They tried to stop her, but Locke, who was behind Rie, stopped them. "I'm from the student council. He's involved too." Upon hearing Locke's words, the committee members looked to Astina for confirmation. "That's right. You don't have to stop them." With Astina's permission, the disciplinary committee let Rie and Locke pass. "Can you really do this on your own?" I wondered what Rie was talking about. We were only having a quiet conversation, and no actions had been taken yet. Seeing my puzzled face, Astina spoke up. "She probably knows what we're talking about, so it's fine." "…What?" I was confused. "Rie can handle both wind spirits and wind magic, so she can hear almost everything, even from a distance." She could hear all our conversations? That was a setting that never appeared in the game. I knew she had a special ability to handle both magic and spirits, but I didn't know she could use it like this. "I knew all your actions because she told me." "Princess Rie… you mean?" What was the relationship between Rie and Astina? I felt confused but quickly snapped out of it. I couldn't afford to waste any more time. "So, are you saying that you will help, Princess Rie?" "Yes~ I'll help you. We're going in there, right? Locke will─ huh?" I grabbed Rie's wrist and walked towards the library. There was no time for idle chatter. Still, it was fortunate that Rie was willing to help. "Wait, wait. I'll help, but Locke is supposed to go in there─." "Be quiet. Hurry up and follow me." I was in a hurry, so I dragged Rie with me and strode toward the library. "Wait, listen to my conditions first..." "Just tell me what you want." "Well, for starters, stop speaking so formally..." As I continued to drag her, Princess Rie kept talking. "Fine, I'll speak casually. Hurry up, we don't have time. I'll listen to your conditions after everything is done." Ignoring her words, I kept pulling her, and Rie dropped her cheeky attitude. "No! Hey! I said I'm not going in there! I'm a princess! What if I get hurt in there?" Rie complained, clearly irritated. "I won't make you do anything dangerous, just hurry up and follow. Can you help me out instead of him?" "Lo, Locke! Locke! Stop this guy!" As I continued to drag her without hesitation, Rie stuttered, looking for Locke. Locke then approached me. "Hey, you've done me wrong, haven't you?" It was the time when he had insulted me. Locke stopped in his tracks. "I haven't received an apology for that yet. I won't make a big deal about it, so just stay put. It would be even better if you prevent others from coming in here." Locke frowned. He knew he had made a mistake with me, so he would listen to at least one of my requests, no matter what Rie said. "…Understood." "Wha, what, what? Hey! Follow my order! Hey!" "I apologize." Locke bowed 90 degrees to Rie. "Hey!!!!!!!!!!!" "He won't be of any help if he goes in there. Just follow me obediently." With that, I took the screaming Rie with me and entered the library.
