NOVEL NEXT Chapter 23
Dang~
“Wow, Alben, you’re here!”
As I entered the library, Anna welcomed me cheerfully as always with a bright smile.
“Hello, sister.”
“Hehe. Alben, do you realize it’s been a week since you’ve been coming here without a break? Don’t you like books more than me?”
“Books are great, but talking with you is even more enjoyable.”
“Oh my… Alben, you really say the sweetest things.”
The interior of the library was much tidier compared to the first day.
This was the result of our hard work cleaning during the fourth-day quest, “Library Cleanup.”
And now, a week has gone by.
“Oh! Alben, there are some new books that just arrived. Would you like to take a look?”
“Take a look?”
“I managed to get a few rare-looking books.”
I was finally able to receive the long-anticipated “Secret Quest.”
[!Secret Quest]
<Three Books>
“…Sure!”
Already, I felt a sweet drool gathering at the corners of my mouth.
*
“This is it.”
What Anna pulled out from the storage was three books.
The previous owner must have stored them carelessly, as the covers and paper were stained with black marks, making it hard to know what they were about.
You couldn’t even begin to guess when these books were written; they had an ancient feel to them.
‘But.’
It would be too hasty to dismiss them just as old, shabby books.
The aura emanating from them felt quite mysterious.
Especially since I knew the “true identity” of these books, my heart raced even more.
“I bought these from a merchant passing by yesterday. What do you think? Doesn’t it feel like there’s a mystical energy coming from the books?”
Anna said proudly with a smile.
Well, it’s not that I didn’t feel such an aura.
‘Anna just loves books too much for her own good.’
She’d buy any old or seemingly special book without a second thought.
Collecting books was part of the library owner’s duty, or something like that.
“These are definitely not ordinary books.”
“Oh my, Alben, you really do know your stuff. My friends scolded me for spending money on things like these…”
Honestly, if I didn’t know the real story, I’d have said somewhat similar things myself.
These books couldn’t even be said to be in good condition, not to mention their described state.
Even the parts that weren’t covered in stains were written in a language I couldn’t understand, making it impossible to comprehend the content.
“Um… so, Alben, could I ask you for a small favor?”
“Anything.”
“Oh my.”
As I responded immediately, Anna covered her mouth and chuckled.
“You mentioned you’d soon be leaving for the Academy, right? Could you take these books with you and have them restored?”
She was excited.
“I’ve definitely heard that there’s a famous ‘Book Restorer’ as a professor at Polaris. So I’m sure they could unveil the true value contained in these books…!”
With that, Anna placed the three books in front of me.
[Red Cover Book]
[Blue Cover Book]
[Golden Cover Book]
I smiled and nodded.
“Understood.”
[Secret Quest, <Three Books> accepted!]
*
In the Valdeon Saga, there are countless builds.
With only the distinction between wizards and knights, jobs aren’t strictly set, allowing players to freely create the builds they desire.
Alternatively, players can utilize two, three, or more builds simultaneously, adjusting their styles according to combat needs.
‘But among them.’
There exists a build that boasts particularly overpowered performance.
The so-called ‘Final Build.’
This is a transcendently powerful build established to allow newbies or players with poor controls to enjoy the game comfortably right after starting Valdeon Saga.
The builds that can be called “Final Builds” exist three each in the magician and knight categories.
「Archmage」
「Necromancer」
「Chronomancer」
「Sword Master」
「Hero」
「Dragon Knight」
All of these builds are astonishingly strong.
Naturally, it’s not easy to achieve.
Efforts such as uncovering hidden skills or obtaining quests through special achievements are necessary.
‘Among them, what the “Dragon Knight” build requires.’
Is precisely these ‘three books.’
‘Right now, they may just appear as stained and shabby books.’
But after restoration, their value will increase immeasurably.
Once I understand the contents within,
I will be able to wield ‘Dragon’s Power.’
To blend that power into my swordsmanship is the culmination of a final build, 「Dragon Knight」.
“For now, it’s better to keep some path open.”
With any number of variables possibly arising, I can’t just sit idly.
My goal is to achieve all three final builds.
“…Though I’ve never done anything like that in a game before.”
If possible, I’d like to awaken the Mana Heart and try handling magic, but that’s a secondary priority.
First, I should open all my dantians and safely raise my techniques.
‘Alright then.’
Let’s focus on safely completing the upcoming inevitable event.
“Umm… yes…”
I shook Angela awake as she drooled in her sleep.
“We’ll be arriving soon. You need to wake up.”
“Hehe… Booeyin… is this a nice place…? I hope I never have to leave your side again…”
“Wake up.”
“Huh!”
Whatever dream she had, Angela quickly got up with a whimsical smile.
She then turned her small head, checking her surroundings.
This was inside the magic-powered carriage.
A train connecting regions within Centinium.
It was cheaper than a carriage, yet faster and safer.
You could say it’s a sort of welfare for the people living in the Central Continent.
‘In the game, it was just a hurried explanation with fast travel.’
But experiencing it for myself feels anew.
“You’ll be getting off at the next stop.”
“Chuuu… We’ve arrived, Ran.”
She blushed and wiped the drool from her mouth.
A massive complex of buildings loomed just beyond the train’s windows.
At first glance, it seemed like one large city.
-This stop is Polaris A Building. Polaris A Building.
This area itself is ‘Polaris Academia.’
It’s not merely a couple of buildings; an entire district is dedicated to the academy.
‘Truly the finest educational facility in the empire and the continent.’
Its sheer size is overwhelmingly impressive.
Chiiik-!
As the train’s gate opened, many people, including us, hurriedly disembarked.
Among them were many in uniforms resembling Polaris academy outfits.
“A Building houses the admissions office and information center. It’s a place that non-Polaris personnel can also visit.”
“I see.”
“So, we part ways here for a moment.”
“Y-yes… huh?!”
Angela’s eyes widened, and her hair stood on end at my surprising statement.
Though her sunglasses made it hard to see, it felt like she would react that way.
“W-why…? You said you’d stay by my side…”
She seemed to be trying not to panic as much as possible but the tremor in her voice was undeniable.
“Is it because I’m incompetent? Is it that you can’t go with a pathetic woman like me…?”
“It’s not that. It’s all for your safety, Your Highness.”
“Ah… safety?”
Royalty is practically on the entry list for Polaris from the moment they’re born.
And that includes Angela.
“The Princess is already a freshman at Polaris. She just hasn’t participated in the entrance ceremony, but she already has the right to use the facilities inside Polaris.”
In fact, some enter the dormitory before the ceremony to adjust to campus life early.
‘But I don’t have that privilege.’
That’s only possible for those who don’t need to take entrance exams.
In other words, it’s a kind of privilege granted to high-ranking offspring.
“So, it’s much safer for you to enter Polaris now and be protected. We also need to report your safe return to the palace.”
Though it may not apply to the southern region.
Since they couldn’t openly harm her in such a place where the Royal Family is clearly in sight, being in Polaris provided a protective buffer.
“So, I will now part ways temporarily.”
“Such…!”
“It’s alright. We’ll meet again soon.”
After all, I decided to keep Angela by my side.
There’s no way I’d fail the entrance exam; I’d reunite with Angela before long.
She surely knows that fact as well.
“…Although reality separates us now. We will meet again, right?”
“Yes?”
“I will undoubtedly find you. After shedding this pathetic self, I will proudly stand beside you.”
She spoke as though we wouldn’t meet for the next ten years.
Still, we’d be seeing each other in a week or two.
“So… please, don’t forget me.”
She grabbed my hand, tears glistening down her cheeks.
“Then, goodbye, my knight…”
Angela ran towards the building while covering her face.
“…In any case.”
That part is settled for now.
I confirmed she had safely entered the building before boarding the train again.
‘Before confirming the exam will take place at the admissions office.’
I need to create a temporary identity first.
Right now, I’m not ‘Alben,’ but ‘Ran Black.’
“Huuh.”
I fiddled with my black bangs while leaning into the train’s swaying motion.
Fiddle…
‘…Hmm?’
At that moment, I felt a sensation around my backside.
‘What’s this.’
I thought someone might have bumped into me as a passing thought went by.
Groping!
But it felt like a hand boldly groping my buttocks outright.
Like dough being kneaded, they audaciously touched here and there.
‘What the heck. Seriously?’
It was ridiculous,
The situation was absurd enough to exceed mere surprise.
‘Is this a molester?’
In a reverse gender world where dynamics have flipped.
I’m having a hard time adjusting, honestly.