The Library

Chapter 14: The Library

"President, you're back!"

The Combat Club hall.

As soon as Donald walked in, he saw two instructors rubbing medicine into their injuries with long faces. Many of the students looked dejected. Only Angelia came over to greet him.

"What happened? I was only gone for a few days. How did the Combat Club end up like this?"

Donald asked, puzzled. "Did someone come to challenge us?"

"No!"

The bitter smile on Angelia's face deepened. "It was my fault! I recruited a student who was far too 'gifted.' He'd only been training for two days, and he already beat Charlie and Baron..."

In her heart, she felt that even "genius" didn't begin to describe Sulu.

"Oh?" Donald grew interested. "That's intriguing! What's his name?"

"Sulu! Sulu Portley!" Angelia replied.

Donald: "..."

I wonder what Donald's expression will be when he gets back and hears about me...

After doing something bad and running off, Sulu returned to the dormitory, feeling oddly thrilled.

"Hey, Sulu!"

Sean was there too. He waggled his eyebrows at him. "Latest news: Molly Apple is in the library. This is your chance, brother!"

"Oh?!"

Sulu's interest was piqued. He casually tossed him five copper coins. "Thanks! Has she been acting strangely today?"

"Not at all. If I had to say anything, it's that her routine is too regular. I can close my eyes and guess what she'll do next..."

Sean looked regretful. "I absolutely wouldn't want a girl like that for a wife. It'd be a nightmare... But she seems like a good match for you!"

"I was going to give you a little extra, but now I don't think I will," Sulu said expressionlessly.

He knew exactly what would make his roommate feel utterly heartbroken.

"What? Extra... Ah, what a wonderful word... Sulu, brother! I was wrong!" Sean changed his tune in an instant, nearly begging as he tugged at Sulu's arm. "Just give me another five copper coins, and I promise I'll even find out what color Catherine's underwear is!"

"What use would I have for knowing the color of her underwear?" Sulu said, speechless.

"Oh, I meant Molly's!"

"I'm leaving!" Sulu decided he might as well go to the library.

Whether he wanted to observe Molly and see what she was like, or look up other information, he had to make the trip.

"Are five copper coins too much? We can negotiate. Four! Three! I can't go any lower..."

Sean's voice continued to ring out behind him.

The library.

At St. George University, it was the tallest building. Its main structure was made of white marble, and it looked like a huge auditorium.

As he entered through the broad front doors, his shoes stepping onto the smooth marble floor, Sulu felt as if he'd walked into a land of giants.

He was a regular here. The rows upon rows of bookshelves, the many tables and chairs, and the students quietly studying all felt familiar and comforting.

It's only been a few days, and I've gone from a library regular to a Brawler? And half a mysticism enthusiast?

Sulu smiled wryly to himself.

Ever since he'd received a letter from his hometown, Rhode, his worldview had been shattered beyond repair. His life had also changed beyond recognition.

Green Tree Castle has a job opening, with work starting in September. The university term begins in August, so I'll have to move out of the dormitory before the end of July... It's only the beginning of July, so I still have a little time...

He thought to himself as he passed the bookshelves marked with iron plaques for physics, chemistry, and other subjects. He went up to the second floor and stopped in the religion and history section.

Before, Sulu had learned a little about geography and orthodox history, then lost all interest in the subject and buried himself in science.

But now, if he wanted to study knowledge related to the supernatural, he naturally had to start with history and religion.

Molly should be in the library too, but there's no need to rush...

Even as he was now, he wasn't confident he could handle that shadow.

Sulu walked along the shelves, pulled out a book titled An Overview of Religion, and opened to the first page. "Praise the great Seven Gods! Their glory shines upon the whole world!"

It was a religious book introducing several of the world's mainstream faiths. Together, they were known as the "Seven Gods" or the "Old Gods." They were tough survivors who had remained standing through multiple Twilights of the Gods.

The Goddess of Light in particular had the most powerful Church in the White Eagle Federation, and a fine reputation. Her followers often held relief drives and charity galas.

"The seven major faiths of the world are those of the Goddess of Light, Mother Earth, God of Ocean, God of Fire, God of War, Goddess of Storm, and God of Knowledge... All other beliefs are heretical!"

The author's views were extremely radical, and he seemed to be a religious fanatic.

Sulu shook his head, skipped the many meaningless words of praise and adoration, and picked up another book, Folklore and Belief Studies.

"...In some savage, uncivilized regions, our expedition discovered a great many bloody and evil beliefs... The local natives worship 'demons' and hold rituals steeped in blood... There is evidence that they truly gained some inexplicable abilities from them... But Dr. Kodo believes these are merely hallucinations caused by consuming large quantities of hallucinogens..."

"That's a little interesting..."

Sulu flipped through the book and found that the later pages had been replaced with new content. Clearly, the author knew a lot, but there were some things he couldn't publish.

He read further: "...The Gunir tribe in the tropical rainforest is a group of savage cannibal natives. They worship death and revere the moon, believing it to be the ruler of death... Religious texts confirm that none of the Seven Gods currently possesses the domain of night. Yet quite a few evil gods and false gods claim to represent the 'moon'..."

"The moon..."

A chill ran through Sulu as he thought of the Corpse Maiden Creation ritual he'd conducted, and the murmured words that had inexplicably joined in: "In the name of the moon!"

"No matter how I look at it, I seem to be in trouble..."

A helpless smile tugged at his lips. "Why does this feel like a TV drama... A bunch of reckless, bold kids cause trouble, then make an even bigger mistake trying to cover up the first one, and end up triggering a disaster..."

Sulu continued reading, only to find that the book had run out of useful information again. It had switched to an account of feather worship among the residents of a certain island. He couldn't help feeling furious. "Damn publisher! They've cut out so much. How's anyone supposed to read this?"

After closing the book, Sulu made a point of checking the author's name.

"Sunflower Publishing House, written by Kira Gales!"

He memorized the name.

Clearly, Kira Gales knew a great deal about mysticism. With the Tide of Transcendence on the rise, he was even more likely to notice the changes.

"Maybe he's a Transcendent himself!"

Sulu put the book back on the shelf, then suddenly stiffened.

Through the gap between the bookshelves, he saw a girl's face, speckled with freckles and framed by glasses. "Molly! Molly Apple!"