46: Overstepping

Chapter 48: 46 · Overstepping

After resting for a while, Yuan Chen followed Qiyana into the central tower.

The third floor was divided into two areas: the outer section was where the Yuentar and Great Nobles rested, while the inner section was where all of Ixialia's Element Apprentices studied.

Thanks to Qiyana's status, Yuan Chen attracted plenty of strange looks, but at least in the outer section, no one questioned him too much.

"This is the largest library in Ixialia... I really can't understand why you chose to come here."

Hearing Qiyana's bafflement, Yuan Chen didn't feel like explaining. Instead, he asked, "Where can I find books on history... and books about demons?"

"There's a librarian over there. Go ask yourself."

Qiyana said glumly, then found a seat by the window and ordered a glass of water.

This was a library reserved for Ixialia's ruling elite, a place only its high-ranking rulers and members of the ruling class could enter. Unlike the libraries outside, it held many rare materials, unique copies, and handwritten manuscripts.

The space was broad and open. From time to time, elderly or middle-aged people in robes passed through the jewel-studded corridors. Their bearing and clothing styles varied, but they were all dressed in the same Vidalion Fabric.

Yuan Chen didn't make a point of distinguishing them, but he could sense the potent magic in their Vydalian Robes. Their crystallized magical energy formed different colors and patterns according to their elemental affinities. Every one of them was a consummate philosopher. Every one was a master in their own elemental field.

Taking down a chronicle of Runeterra according to the Ixialian Calendar, Yuan Chen was certain that the knowledge in a book like this would be enough to drive any scholar on the Valoran Continent mad.

Well, he couldn't take it with him. It recorded many secret teachings, marked using the Yuan Chu Axiom, and would sound an alarm the moment it left the library.

Carrying the book, Yuan Chen went to sit across from Qiyana and began reading carefully. This left Qiyana feeling rather bored—

She'd thought Yuan Chen would choose something interesting. Instead, he'd picked the most tedious thing imaginable: a chronicle.

Time passed quickly as he read. Yuan Chen kept recording useful information and comparing it with the stories of Runeterra he remembered, checking, supplementing, and refining them. Then an irritated voice came from the side.

"Well, well, look who it is. I never thought my most incompetent little sister would show up in the halls of knowledge."

At the unexpected voice, Yuan Chen looked up. The woman before him bore a striking resemblance to Qiyana, sharing about seven-tenths of her features, but she looked more mature, with sharper, more prominent facial contours. She was tall and slender.

Her hair was the same silvery gray, but unlike Qiyana's curls, hers was straight and smooth, tied in a high ponytail behind her head.

A dark green headband rested across her forehead. Her Vydalian Robe was styled like a qipao, with a high slit that reached almost to her waist.

Her chest was full, and the qipao-style Vidalion Fabric showed off her beautiful figure to perfection. But despite her tall, striking build, the woman's contempt was plain to see.

"I heard you asked Father King to let you host the ceremony. Don't make me laugh, you foolish little sister. I'm twelve years older than you! Rather than dreaming of becoming the true heir, you should learn some humility!"

Hearing this from her elder sister, Sane, Qiyana showed no fear. On the contrary, she scoffed.

"That's right, you're twelve years older than me, but who knows how far behind you are? If I were you, I'd have stepped aside for someone more worthy long ago!"

Sane's eyes filled with loathing at Qiyana's defiant retort. "Behind? Do you really think I wouldn't dare lay a hand on you? I've only spared you because we're related!"

"This is the library. Your Highnesses, please don't argue here."

Just as Sane was about to say more, a quiet woman stepped out from nearby. She wore a silk robe and gold-rimmed glasses, and her silver hair was gathered in a bun.

At the woman's appearance, Sane quickly regained her composure. She took a deep breath, then gave a cold snort.

"You should thank Master Noel, Qiyana. Otherwise, you'd pay for your disrespect."

"You're all talk."

Qiyana sneered.

Sane narrowed her eyes, then turned toward Yuan Chen, who had been watching the situation, and said with a cold smile, "Come to think of it, I never expected sharp-tongued Qiyana to pick up the bad habits of those traditional nobles and start keeping an inferior outsider."

At that, a hint of boredom showed in Yuan Chen's eyes. He had only just arrived, and he'd planned to observe the situation surrounding Ixialia's Heir Competition before drawing any conclusions.

He'd been in the middle of analyzing it, when—

The drama had turned on him.

Yuan Chen slipped a bookmark into the book, then looked up at Sane. There were some insults he absolutely couldn't let slide, especially one that called him an "inferior."

With that in mind, Yuan Chen replied unhurriedly, "Using such vicious words against your own sister is unbecoming of an eldest daughter, Your Highness."

At Yuan Chen's words, Sane finally focused her attention on him. She found him rather striking. Though he looked different from the people of Ixialia, everyone appreciated beauty.

Before, Yuan Chen had been sitting quietly, and Sane hadn't gotten a clear look at his face. Now that she had, she nodded to herself. No wonder Qiyana had fallen for him.

Even so, Sane didn't back down. She replied bluntly, "What gives you the right to speak to me like that? This library is for Yuenale and the Yuentar. It's not for a lowborn pet like you."

"I can't understand your arrogance."

Yuan Chen stood up, his tall, straight frame drawing the attention of several onlookers. He didn't direct his gaze at Sane alone; he also looked around at the Yuentar who were following the Heir Competition.

"I won't deny that Ixialia's cultural heritage is rich and profound, or that its mastery of Elemental Magic surpasses that of any other nation in Runeterra. But with all due respect, Ixialia is not the only great civilization when it comes to interpreting the truth."

"..."

At Yuan Chen's calm, unyielding words, not only Sane but even Qiyana stood frozen for a moment.

No matter how fierce the conflict between Sane and Qiyana was, one thing was beyond dispute: they were both Ixialians, members of Ixialia's Royal Family, future rulers, current heirs, and Yuenale.

The common people of Ixialia took pride in being part of their ancient, enduring nation, and the Yuenale were no different.

Even though they knew other civilizations existed beyond their borders, their understanding of the outside world was limited to the stereotypes in books, shaped by their cultural environment, region, and era.

After a moment of strange, hushed silence, an elderly voice suddenly spoke up.

"An interesting way of putting it."

Hearing the voice, the woman with the gold-rimmed glasses, who had been about to say something, turned around in surprise. She then quickly stepped aside to clear a path.

Not only the woman with the gold-rimmed glasses, but also the other Yuentar masters, Sane, and even the proud, strong-willed Qiyana, respectfully rose to their feet and crossed their arms over their chests in salute.

An old man with a head of white hair stood there. Time had carved countless lines into him. He must once have stood tall, but now he was hunched over, needing a cane to walk with any steadiness.

His hair was meticulously groomed, but the beard on his chin fell to his waist. Age spots covered his deeply lined face, and his slack skin hung limply over flesh that could no longer cling to his bones.

Yet, for all the age etched into his face and body, the old man's eyes were remarkably bright, like gemstones reflecting the whole world.

"My name is Sem. I'm a Yuentar. You... must be from Ionia, right?"

"Greetings, sir. I'm from Placidium in Ionia."

Hearing Sem's question, Yuan Chen adopted a suitably humble manner. "I hope my rash words didn't disturb your wisdom."

"Haha, wisdom? That's all in the past." Sem spoke warmly. "Now you're looking at nothing but an old man with one foot in the grave... Well, Ionians usually like to put it that way."

He'd been to Ionia? No...

At Sem's words, Yuan Chen thought, He must have been like me—someone who accidentally found his way into Ixialia.

With that in mind, Yuan Chen asked, "Do you know Ionia well?"

"Not particularly. I just had an old friend from Ionia." Sem sounded a little wistful and sad. "But he's been dead for more than seventy years..."

Before Yuan Chen could say anything, Sane spoke up from the side.

"Master Sem, you don't need to talk to this arrogant foreigner... He's even wearing Qiyana's clothes."

Sem glanced at the Vydalian Robe Yuan Chen was wearing. "Don't you have an explanation for that?"

"There's nothing to explain." Yuan Chen shook his head and turned toward Sane. "If you're going to adapt to local customs, you may as well see it through."

"As for these clothes..."

"As one of Princess Qiyana's retainers, surely giving me a robe to show her trust isn't an unforgivable crime?"

"That's overstepping! You should be sentenced to death."

Sane refused to back down, but Yuan Chen knew she was lying.