Q: Who has the best chance at providing salvation against the approaching doom?

A: The Twelve Heroes.

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There were a few things that did not work well with Scar, and books were at the top of the list. Yet here I am today, on my way to the archive. The people on the way even gave a look as if the sun rose from the north today. In no way had they imagined the prodigal son in the library studying.

Unfortunately for them, the sun might really have risen from the north, or possibly a ghost was occupying Scar's body. The last time I checked, it was the latter.

I kept my head straight, ignoring all their looks, and arrived at the front entrance of The Archive. It was an entirely separate building from the two departments, close to the staff lounge, but by no means was it small.

To my knowledge, this place held all the knowledge of the realm for the last millennia—that was a lot, but unfortunately, not enough for certain pieces of information which were deliberately wiped out. At least it would suffice for now.

Sucking in a breath, I walked inside. The inside was much warmer and quieter than the outside. Adding to the fact that the academic year had not started yet, the main library was mostly vacant. Other than books related to sorcery, you can actually find anything here; from historical pieces to some cheap romance stuff, from the books about rising machinery to religious books where doctorate we are at the mercy of the almighty, everything can be found within the boundary of these walls.

The academy was vastly vacant now, and the same was true for the archive. I was about to go look for the books I needed for my studies and other purposes, but before that, my eyes drifted off towards a particular corner where a few desks were set up to check out almost everything about the archive. Usually, students and some staff work together to keep the archive productive, but it appears it's only a couple of students now.

Only a couple of people were sitting there. Not library staff, but a couple of students who work at the library for a few tills. The blue ribbon on their uniforms told us they were second-year students here.

These two folks were in charge of everything from recording the borrowed books to the issuing of notices to return the books that were borrowed. But by the way, they presented themselves, sought a frown from me.

I did not need to get myself busy there, as I had yet to choose the books, yet I could not help but walk towards there. Interestingly, I knew one of them.

Yeriel was sitting on her seat uncomfortably as an arm was wrapped around her shoulder like a snake. The youth that was sitting beside her did not even hide the fact that he was squeezing her shoulder while pulling her towards him. He appeared to be telling her some story about his glory or sorts, while Yeriel did everything to get away. Her everything was, of course, not enough.

A snort came through my throat as I appeared before the particular desk.

"We are busy now; come later," the youth told me, not giving even a single look while he kept on squeezing her shoulder.

Yeriel looked down in shame, avoiding my gaze. She looked everywhere but at me with an uncomfortable expression. She could not even stop the boy. If she made a scene here, it would only go one way.

Being a commoner, she could perfectly imagine what it would be like. With her identity as an honour student at the academy, she might be fine, but the same cannot be said for her family. She already had a sour relationship with her family, and if something ever happened again, perhaps it will be the end of her.

I did not go back as the youth told me to, but made a knock on the desk to get their attention.

"Starlight Archive," I said, reading the text on a plate on the desk. "So, I came to the right place. I thought it was some cheap bar or brothel."

The youngster finally looked at me. Seeing my red hair and pupil with the cut mark on the brow, his expression stiffened. "What, Oscar Emberheart?" he said, with a mocking expression. "Are you really in the right place? Did you hit your head on something to get here?"

"On that note, you should not be here either." I returned the mock and continued. "If you want to get your way with women, go to a brothel, for Ishar's sake. You can try it in some back alleyways as well. At least the woman you harass may have a justified reason to scream without making it difficult for her. Just don't do it in such a respectable institution."

I pointed at all the tapestries hung on the wall, and continued, "I know it's very hard to demean some urges, but at least think of the environment you are in. All the tapestries, shelves full of books are a huge giveaway. All you have to do is look at them once. Can't be that hard, can it?"

The youth's face darkened. "What are you even looking for here?" he said in contempt. "This place is not for a delinquent like you."

"This is not a place for molesters like you, either." I pushed.

The youth's arm that was wrapped around Yeriel's shoulder stiffened as his face turned red.

"Do I have to call some library staff before you stop harassing her?" I spoke brusquely with narrowed eyes. Even though Scar lived like a black sheep for over a year, his cold face still works.

The youth let go of her shoulder and transferred his entire focus to me. He will not let go of this insult that easily. If nothing else, the noble's son never ceases to have arrogance.

Then the noble son remembered something. This was the magic department side of things. Knights were not allowed here. Well, they could request books on certain occasions, but those occasions are awfully rare.

I understood what was going on in his head, but I did not give him a chance to open his mouth and hold out the paper I brought in with me. "This should be enough for me to stroll around and borrow books," I said. This was a special access form I got from my aunt after I asked her to give me permission to enter the library. "Can you read it?"

The noble son found nothing to embarrass me, though the anger already went up in his head. All he could do was give me a few angry glares.

Clicking my tongue, I turned my attention to the fair maiden beside the boy. "Yeriel," I said, and she looked at me at once. If I leave her here, she will once again be within the snake-arms. Well, teaching her some tricks will work in the long run, but now, there is only one option.

Though in the long run, she needs to learn to stand up for herself; it is better for me to help her now. "Will you be kind enough to help me look for a few volumes of books?" I asked politely, with a thin smile. The smile looks good on me, right? Of course it would. Ignoring my original body, there might not be more than a couple more youth dashingly handsome than this.

The girl nodded and stood up at once. She appeared as if she would even go hunting demons rather than sit here for another moment. Between the glares of the noble son, Yeriel led me into the library.

"Who was that?" I asked after covering a couple of shelves.

"You don't recognise him?" she asked, raising her brows. "He is Althan Kimber. If you do not remember clearly, you dislocated his arm a year before."

I said, "Ah, a brat from House Kimber." though I had no idea about other things. That explains how he had the gall to look straight at me. In position, House Emberheart and Kimber had the same reputation, though Emberheart was far ahead with their military achievements.

Kids like Althan looked to commoners for one thing only: how to bed women without any trouble; and after that thing was done, all matters closed. However, Yeriel was a special case here. Despite her family being nothing but commoners, her identity as an honour student held her a little higher.

That left her in the middle of nobles and high-ranking commoners; meaning horny kids like Althan could not do as they pleased with her. Althan had to get her permission before bedding her. I shook my head at that thought.

"So what are you looking for?" she asked, not sure which way to go. High shelves everywhere, full of books. She should be working here for enough time to know what block held what kinds of books.

"I need a lot of things, actually," I said. "Let's start with the books about fundamental arts, such as Evocation, Invocation, Warding, and, most importantly, Spirit Manipulation."

"That is quite a lot if you want to take it with you. Do you have some specific titles that you want? I can say there were over a thousand books on fundamental sorcery here."

I frowned. My aunt had not told me anything, not that I asked specifically. But I have no intention of going looking for her now as a living and walking solution was before me. "Yeriel, you are an honour student," I said. "Will you recommend something that you found helpful in your freshman year?"

Yeriel nodded hastily, and her eyes glittered. She led me to collect the books with a merry expression. She picked up books one by one and gave them to me to hold. In just a few minutes, there were about a dozen leather-bound books on my arm, each one as thick as my arm.

I did not know if I made a blunder by asking for a book recommendation from her. It did not look like she would stop until she buried me with books.

"Boss!" A shout entered my ears, and I felt someone jump on me from behind. I spun with natural instinct, but by the time it was too late.

I lost my balance and fell down on the cold floor. Not to mention, I threw away the books in my arms. Fortunately, it did not hurt that much as I looked back to see who had the audacity to play something on me, Oscar the Great.

The first thing that came into my vision was the shining bald head. There was only one bald dude who called Scar - Boss - and with the iconic idiotic looks, I knew exactly who this person was. It was none other than the loyal underling of Scar. So he finally arrived.

I brought out my arm and slapped quite hard on the shining bald head instantly.

"Ouch." shouted the bald-headed fella as he stood up. He jumped at me again, though not violently like before. "No love for your favourite sidekick?"

"Look at what you did, Julies." I slapped at him on the head again before, though not too violently. "Fortunately, there was no staff nearby, or else we might have been thrown out of here."

"What's the big deal?" said Julies in his loud, high-pitched voice, as if he was trying to offend everyone reading inside the library. Yep, that was my most loyal underling alright.

He was not tall enough to be a delinquent, but had what resembled peach fuzz on his face, with the iconic bald head. He could have been called fairly handsome if not for the thin frame of his body and a shining bald head, coupled with the black glasses he wore most of the time. I would not be wrong to say he was trying really hard to be a delinquent. I even have theories that Julies only wanted to be delinquent to follow Scar.

I mostly thought that Julies was a fan of Scar and would do anything for his boss. And he did help Scar many times, though this gentleman disappeared suddenly with no one noticing. I wondered what his deal was. Nobody knows his past, nor does he talk about his family and other matters.

But unfortunately, Scar himself was in so much pain, he did not even notice someone like Julies, who similarly had issues that he never shared with anyone.

"Keep your voice down and help me," I said, sighing. I joined Yeriel in picking up the books that I had thrown away with the sudden attack from my underlings.

"Boss, this ain’t you, right?" he asked again, getting down near me. This time, his voice was much quieter. "Picking up books, anxious about getting thrown out. This ain’t anything like you. Not a single bit like you. Caught a fever or somethin’?"

"Thanks for letting me know again," I said, and felt a little tired. "And for your information, I am leaving everything behind and turning over a new leaf."

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Edited by Mysteries. Proofread by kqwxz.