NOVEL NEXT Chapter 183: The Beauty Of Books
He was surprised to get all of this so easily but hey, maybe it was his day.
"Well, what do you know? It seems the world loves me after all." Azel muttered under his breath.
Medusa, standing at his side, gave him a long sigh.
Anya wasn't any different. They both knew this expression of his — mouth hanging slightly open, eyes shining with smug delight whenever luck tilted his way.
"Master, your mouth is open," Medusa said flatly, her eyes narrowing and she puffed her cheeks.
Azel quickly shut his mouth and grinned sheepishly. "Right, right. Thanks."
Medusa only shook her head and led him up the spiral stairs toward the highest room of the manor.
At the very top sat the master bedroom.
The space was wide and polished, its wooden floor shining beneath the sunlight coming through the large window.
At the center of it stood a grand bed, so wide it could easily fit four or even five people at once.
A wardrobe carved with floral patterns stood to the left, and to the right sat a chest with a simple lock.
There was even a balcony that overlooked the quiet streets outside.
"It's a good place," Azel said approvingly. He reached out to pat Medusa's head, and she leaned into the touch, purring faintly like a pleased cat.
Cradling Lillia in her arms, Medusa excused herself with a soft bow and disappeared down the hall and so did Anya.
The room fell into silence, leaving Azel alone with the package he had been carrying.
He sat on the edge of the bed and placed both the package and the imperial letter beside him.
His attention, however, immediately returned to the package.
Curiosity burned inside him, what exactly did the academy send that made these things so heavy?
Without hesitation, he tore the wrapping open. Inside, he found a silver envelope sealed with a crest.
The design caught his eye at once — the seal wasn't just ornamental, but resembled a complex magic circle, etched with glowing lines that looked like formations, it was the Astralis crest.
Azel broke the seal carefully and unfolded the letter. The paper was heavy, smooth, and smelled faintly of ink and parchment oil.
His eyes scanned the neat handwriting.
[From Astralis Academy Headmaster, Dorian Astralis]
Good day, Sir Azel.
I hope this letter finds you in good health.
We have recently received word of your journey into the Winter Region. I trust that you have returned safely, and that the expedition did not leave you too weary.
This letter is to formally inform you that, after careful analysis of your recent feats and the reports sent to us, Astralis Academy has chosen to reserve a place for you among its incoming students.
You may choose to arrive early or late — the position will remain yours regardless.
Enclosed in this package are several textbooks and study guides you will need to prepare for the upcoming Entrance Examinations, which will take place on the 30th of August, Year 303.
Though you are known primarily as a swordsman, you are encouraged to enroll in magical courses as well, should you wish it.
The Academy values versatility.
Furthermore, if your entrance results rank among the highest, you will be granted the title of Class Representative for the incoming year.
Such a position comes with the privilege of a private building within Academy grounds, which you may manage as you see fit. You will also have the authority to appoint those you trust to reside within it.
I look forward to your arrival at Astralis.
Respectfully,
Dorian Astralis, Headmaster of Astralis Academy
…
When he finished reading, Azel blinked slowly.
"This feels less like an admission letter and more like a sales pitch," he muttered, tapping the paper against his knee.
The tone was warm, almost flattering, and far less stiff than he'd expected from a prestigious academy.
It almost sounded as if the Headmaster was trying to court him personally, as if begging him not to refuse.
'Still… could I really turn down something like this?' he thought. It wasn't like he was going to reject it… This was where the main plot took place and he personally had to give Reinhardt a punch or two.
With a shrug, he set the letter aside and reached for the rest of the package. He tore through the wrapping completely this time, and a collection of bulky textbooks slid out onto the bed.
They landed with heavy thuds, one after another, until five thick tomes were stacked in front of him.
His expression soured at once.
"Ah… I remember why I hate school."
Just the sight of them was enough to sap his energy.
He imagined endless hours of sitting in class, memorizing theories, struggling to keep his eyes open while someone droned at the front of the room.
He let out a long sigh.
'Well… at least it's part of the game's lore,' he thought, trying to cheer himself. 'Maybe it won't be too bad.'
But he didn't sound convinced, even to himself.
He reached out and picked up the first book from the pile. The cover was a rich, deep blue with silver lettering across the front.
[Magical Chemistry by Ronald VI Britannia]
The name alone sounded intimidating. Still, Azel forced himself to flip it open.
His eyes scanned the first page.
His eyebrows twitched.
Then his expression slowly crumbled into horror.
"What the… what is this?!"
The page was filled with diagrams, charts, and sprawling equations that seemed more like some kind of alien code than chemistry.
Symbols he didn't recognize twisted between long chains of formulas.
"This isn't normal!" he said aloud, snapping the book shut almost instantly.
In the novels he'd read in his old world, magical theories were usually simplified — basic elemental cycles, mana flow, or simple spell structures.
Things an average student could wrap their head around.
But this? This was on another level. It was the kind of knowledge that would give even graduate students back on Earth a headache.
'Is this really what first-years are supposed to learn?'
He rubbed his temples.
His mind was already aching from that single glance.
At last, he let out a tired sigh and leaned back against the bedpost.
"System… give me a photographic memory skill. And reading glasses while you're at it."