The librarian spoke just one thing.
‘Dimensional Wanderers.’
I was surprised for several reasons.
Of course, the term “Dimensional Wanderers” that came from her mouth was part of it, but…
“So you do come out from behind the information desk?”
It was the first time I’d seen her outside. I had always thought she lived in the library.
At some point, I even considered her just another NPC.
“I often wondered, sitting there every day, does she ever go to the bathroom?”
“… P*rvert.”
The librarian muttered coldly.
At first glance, she seemed expressionless, but the tip of her eyebrow twitched slightly.
That expression probably meant disdain.
I mentally noted this as a new expression of hers. Today seems to be my lucky day.
Moreover…
“She even started talking to me first.”
“…”
“It’s an honor.”
“… That’s not the point.”
The librarian shook her head.
Her expressions had definitely become richer.
In the past, she would only slightly tilt her head about 1mm, but now she tilted it a whole centimeter from side to side.
This is a remarkable improvement.
Maybe someday, the librarian will give extravagant reactions like Elena. I look forward to that day…
No, that’s not the important thing right now.
Despite all this small talk, the thing I was most curious about with the librarian remained the same.
“Do you know about the Dimensional Wanderers?”
At my question, she looked up at me with her usual blank expression.
However, her gaze somehow felt more serious.
Even more than usual.
“…”
Her light pink lips didn’t part, but instead, she nodded her head.
Subtly, but considering who she is, definitively.
She knows about the Wanderers.
Various thoughts flooded my mind.
How does she know?
Did she read every book in the library?
And…
.. Can I trust her?
I know I’m being overly cautious.
But I have to be, especially about this topic.
It’s a story element that wasn’t expected.
More importantly, it directly involves me.
Even so, worrying about it won’t solve anything.
In that case, the only question I can ask her is set.
“Is there a book about it?”
Our conversation never strays from this point.
Always inside the library.
Within the confines of the information desk. Asking for books and getting recommendations.
In my heart, I had probably defined her as just that.
Maybe that’s why…
“…”
Scribble, Scribble.
Seeing her write something down with a pen on a piece of paper felt unusual, likely because this wasn’t happening at the information desk but in front of the bookshelves.
Her ordinary height, reaching about my shoulder. The impression she gave off was not cold but rather like an inanimate object. Efficient, but with an air of dignity in her movements.
Just as I began to feel a spark of curiosity about her, the librarian handed me the note.
“Thanks.”
She gave me the note, nodded slightly, and turned away, walking off coolly.
As always, she was composed.
“… Hmm?”
Looking down at the note, I felt a bit confused.
[36.3277 N, 127.4273 E]
Is this some kind of classification system?
The numbers seem much longer than usual.
What are the letters at the end?
It’s an unfamiliar classification system.
I turned to the side of the bookshelf.
“It doesn’t seem to be here.”
What’s this?
Did the librarian make a mistake?
I stuck my head out into the corridor to look toward the information desk.
The place where she should be was empty.
“…What’s going on?”
I examined the note for a while. There was nothing written except for those numbers.
◆
“The atmosphere in Holy Constantine is unusual. It feels like a rebellion might break out.”
Holy Constantine is a country located in the southern part of the continent, ruled by the Pope of the Deus Church.
Its national strength is slightly less than the Britannian Empire, but considering the influence the Deus Church has on the continent, it holds a balance of power with the Empire.
The talk of a rebellion in such a country isn’t something to be taken lightly.
Lunch time.
The one bringing up this serious topic was Elena, who was shoveling a tomato salad into her mouth as if it were feed.
Without thinking, I put my hand on her wide forehead.
“Nom Nom. Brother, why are you doing that all of a sudden!?”
“You were saying something serious, so I thought you might have a fever.”
“That’s not it! I’m always serious!”
“…”
“What is it? Nom Nom. That shocked expression!”
“Oh. Sorry. I just don’t find it very convincing.”
Even as she chewed her cherry tomatoes and said that.
After briefly puffing out her cheeks in irritation, Elena drew a large circle in her notebook.
“You know that the core of Holy Constantine is the Vatican, right?”
“Strictly speaking, it’s the Pope. Since they serve the Pope, the representative of the Absolute One.”
“…Right. How do you know that so well?”
“I know a little.”
Elena blinked her eyes wide in surprise before continuing.
“Anyway, there are two factions within the Deus Church. The Celeste faction, which supports the existence of the Saintess, and the Numina faction, like us, that sees the Saintess as just a slightly special priest.”
There are many differences in their doctrines, but Elena’s summary was simple and precise.
She then drew the territory of Holy Constantine, shaped like a peninsula, in her notebook and divided it horizontally.
“Northern Constantine is the territory of the Celeste faction. Southern Constantine is the territory of the Numina faction. They are practically enemies, only held together under the Pope’s name.”
And in the middle of it all is the circle representing the Papacy.
— Squeak!
Elena slashed through even the Vatican with her pen.
Her hand was unhesitant.
“That, too, is starting to crack. Even the Vatican itself is beginning to fracture.”
“Fracture?”
“Yes. Southern Constantine has started to make moves.”
The meaning behind her words was clear.
The beginning of serious conflict within Holy Constantine.
Just like the episode of Fantasy X Academy.
“Since Southern Constantine follows the teachings of the Numina faction, they are suspicious of the Saintess.”
Elena drew a doodle of a Saintess in her notebook. Then she harshly scratched a horizontal line across the neck of the drawing.
“The interrogation of the Saintess will begin. The targets will be the Saintess candidate and those around her.”
This clarified the reason behind the visit from the heresy inquisitor to Lichten, as mentioned by Dave, Aria’s escort knight.
It was clear now.
“Of course, since it’s also a power struggle, it won’t escalate into a full-blown heresy trial. But just the fact that the Saintess candidate is being investigated will undoubtedly damage the Saintess’s image.”
“That makes sense.”
“Yes. I thought you’d be curious, Brother. I heard this from our chapter head.”
If it’s the chapter head of the Numina branch at the academy, it must be that senior I met in the tent. It seems he’s more competent than I thought.
This is excellent information.
“Thanks, Elena.”
I patted her head.
Elena closed her eyes, enjoying the gesture with satisfaction. I should probably buy more tomatoes next time I visit the market.
“Oh, and!”
Elena suddenly jumped up from her seat and rummaged through a drawer.
She soon brought over a note.
“This came in the morning. I forgot to give it to you.”
I looked at the note she handed me.
[Summons]
Student Ian is requested to visit Aether Research Lab, Room 301 by 1:00 PM today.
I glanced at my watch. It’s 12:50 PM. I immediately looked down at Elena.
“Hehe.”
… What’s with the ‘hehe’?
It was my mistake to think you were being serious today.
— Thock!
I gave her a light flick on her wide forehead and left the clubroom.
Surprisingly, it only took me 15 minutes on foot to reach the Aether Class building.
‘They really did a good job choosing the clubroom’s location.’
At this rate, it’s practically in the perfect spot for convenience.
With that idle thought, I walked into the building.
“It sure is fancy.”
Unlike the other general faculty buildings, the Aether Class building had a distinctly luxurious feel.
Marble floors and walls, sophisticated decorations here and there, and leather chairs everywhere for people to sit comfortably. So, this is where all my tuition money was going to waste.
[3rd Floor]
The magic-powered elevator glided smoothly upward.
“Room 301…”
Who could have called me?
I had no contact with any of the Aether professors.
I couldn’t think of anyone in particular.
While looking for the room, an unexpected face caught my attention.
Why is the Mezai Class homeroom teacher here?
“Professor Violet…?”
“Student Ian.”
— Crack, Crack.
“Why are you here… Mmph.”
Without warning, she suddenly embraced me.
A soft, plush pressure enveloped my face.
The scent of her mature skin filled my nose.
“W-wait… Mmph.”
I tried to say something, but her soft body made it impossible for me to speak.
Still holding me tightly, she murmured,
“It makes me so sad that my precious student is leaving.”
“W-wait a minute.”
I really felt like I was about to leave—leave this world, that is.
… I couldn’t breathe.
Just as I was wondering if this would count as a peaceful death, Violet finally let go of her hug.
“Feel free to visit the research lab anytime. If it’s for you, Ian, I’ll help with anything.”
With those words, Violet left gracefully without even waiting for my response.
… She might be a bit cool.
With that thought, I turned toward the door in front of me.
[301]
Beyond this large door would be the professor who had called for me.
Who could it be?
At this point, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was the department head.
— Knock, Knock.
“This is Ian Blackangers.”
The door slid open smoothly on its own.
Despite being a heavy, old-fashioned wooden door, as it opened, I was greeted once again by the sight of elegant and dignified wooden furniture welcoming guests.
The room was filled with the comforting scent of wood.
Sunbeams poured in through the windows beyond. And standing there was a woman.
Familiar as if I had just seen her yesterday, which made her face all the more welcome.
“… Master?”
Asilia’s lips curved into a serene smile.
