Chapter 149

Hey there, just like a machine translator with that comedic anime casual vibe, here’s the translation:

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I didn’t bother hiding how annoyed I was seeing Roll Hair and Maria getting all cozy. In other words, my face was practically screaming “dislike.” Like, I was glaring at them with an expression so sour it could curdle milk.

Of course, Maria didn’t catch on to my expression. If she were the sly old maid type, maybe, but fooling a fresh-faced girl? Easy as pie.

Seemingly feeling the weight of my piercing gaze, Roll Hair got up, patting both Maria and me on the back.

“Ah, hurry up and go already! Don’t waste too much time because of someone as lowly as me!”

Roll Hair, you’re sharper than I gave you credit for. That one thing about you noticing—impressive.

“Oh, right. Then we’ll head to the library. Mr. Evans, is this time okay for you?”

“Obviously. Anywhere Maria goes, I’ll follow.”

With that, I lifted my butt off the bench alongside Maria. The saintess robes under my school uniform swayed softly.

Just as we were about to leave for the library together, Roll Hair grabbed both me and Maria. I turned my head with a menacing look.

“And… if by any chance a senior named ‘Veronica’ comes looking for the Saintess, try to avoid her!”

Noticing my expression or not, Roll Hair kept talking to Maria without hesitation.

“A senior named Veronica?”

“She’s a third-year powerhouse who dislikes me. While Shine Stella earns her reputation as the Heavenly Hero outside the school, Veronica wields the most influence inside. If she finds out the Saintess and Evans are lurking around the book club, she won’t let it slide.”

Let her try and stop us. Messing with the daughter of the Holy Order? Hilarious. Even if the Holy Order doesn’t step in, if anyone tries to interfere with Maria and me, I’ll be happy to punch a wind tunnel through their forehead first.

“Haha, don’t worry. We’ll handle it. So, Senior, please go ahead and relax.”

“Yeah, yes… Saintess, and Evans junior, thank you so much! I’ll never forget this favor!”

After bowing repeatedly, Roll Hair finally left. With Maria in tow, I headed toward the main building’s library.

Maria doesn’t know where the library is during the day. Makes sense—she hasn’t been here long.

But I’m different. Every night, I’ve snuck out of the dormitory to secretly meet nighttime Maria in the library.

So, I skillfully guided Maria to the library. She smiled sweetly and praised me.

“You’ve already memorized all the routes in the main building…! Amazing.”

Maria has no idea how much her little compliment gets me going.

Covering my reddening lips with my hand, we arrived at the library and opened its doors.

Creeeak—Clunk.

The inside of the library was vast. Completely empty. Ridiculously so.

There are two reasons for this. First, probably due to the territorial bullying of the third-year senior mentioned by Roll Hair.

Second, libraries just aren’t popular among students. Honestly, isn’t fencing practice or whatever they call their swordplay duels more fun than sitting around reading books?

Even if the library had fantasy novels or gossip magazines for entertainment, it’d be another story. But here, most of the books are ancient manuscripts, history books, or philosophical texts like “Why Must Humans Live?” Occasionally, some rule-breaking student might hide a smutty novel, but those are rare treasures indeed.

Eden Academy evaluates both practical skills and written exams. If we’re talking percentages, maybe 60% written and 40% practical?

However, Eden Academy’s written exams aren’t about finding ancient manuscripts or history books. Since assessing individual combat and magical power levels is also part of the academy’s purpose, the written exams can be aced by mastering the textbook alone.

Naturally, fewer students visit the library. Having a librarian might make it less ghost-town-like, but according to nighttime Maria, Eden Academy’s librarian is always absent. Apparently, they love drinking outside the academy premises. No wonder students stay away.

Of course, even such a messed-up library eventually attracts visitors. That visitor used to be past-life Maria. Over three years, she attended the library daily, devouring every single book.

This time around, though, there will be two of us.

“Whoa… It’s huge!”

“Right? It’s huge.”

“I haven’t seen a library this big since the archives at the Holy Emperor’s Palace…”

“Maria grew up inside the palace. You’ve never seen any other libraries, have you?”

“Ah… Right…”

“Haha, I’m joking. Don’t get too down. I don’t see libraries this big often either.”

Upon entering, Maria ran into the library like a child. Not the usual Maria who follows etiquette and decorum.

After all, it’s just the two of us here. That’s why Maria doesn’t feel the need to maintain formalities.

“Hehe… Is anyone else here…?”

“Don’t worry. There’s no one here right now.”

“How do you know that?”

“Spirit perception. When I activate it, I can sense nearby presences. Of course, it’s hard to detect people stronger or on par with me, but I can say with certainty that there aren’t more than twenty such beings across the continent.”

I smirked while muttering. Maria casually brushed it off with a “Wow, you’re amazing!”

“Wow… Look at these bookshelves. They’re incredibly tall and wide, and there are dozens of them!”

“That just means there are lots of books. Maria, want to read one right away?”

“B-but is it okay?”

“What’s not okay? Unless you’re scared of that third-year senior finding out you’re reading here?”

Maria twirled around with her arms spread wide toward the shelves. Her radiant figure was mesmerizing, like snowflakes dancing in the air.

“No, it’s not that…! I was just wondering if it’s allowed…”

“If you want to read, then read. If someone comes and says something, I’ll take care of it. Who would dare speak against what Maria wants?”

“Yes… Hehe. Hearing you say that makes me feel safe.”

The quiet, eerie library. Maria picked up the first book she saw from the nearest shelf. Its title was “The Holy Order: History and Paradoxes,” a book that looked stuffy just from the cover.

Still, Maria wore a delighted expression. Walking briskly to a table, she sat lightly on the chair. The book flipped open to the first page with a soft rustle.

The bright sunlight streaming through the windows illuminated Maria. Her porcelain skin and hair gleamed beautifully under the sun’s grace, like a renowned artist’s masterpiece.

I stood there frozen, clutching my racing heart. Ah, this sight is way too stimulating.

Ordinarily, people find excitement in a partner showing allure—like wearing revealing clothes, putting on makeup, or appearing more attractive after a drink.

Same with me. Except, I derive pleasure and attraction from Maria sitting primly, reading a book like the perfect Saintess.

As I exhaled with a mix of excitement, filling my mind with dopamine, Maria turned to me and spoke.

“Mr. Evans, if you’re just going to stand there, why not come over and read with me? You did join the book club, after all.”

No need to ask twice. I nodded immediately.

I promptly sat next to Maria. She was engrossed in her reading.

I don’t care much about the human concoction of letters in that book. Instead, having a conversation with Maria sounds better.

So, thinking about what topic to bring up, I suddenly noticed something in front of me and asked.

“This book talks about the paradoxes of the Order. Is it okay for the Saintess to read this? Isn’t it blasphemous?”

A potentially sensitive question, but Maria answered gently.

“The Order was created by humans. Naturally, contradictions and flaws exist, and it’s the duty of clergy members to improve upon them.”

“If you said that in front of the Holy Emperor’s Palace, wouldn’t you get dragged away?”

“Foolishness. The Supreme God may be perfect, but humans are not. Denying this fact only hinders progress.”

Wait, the Supreme God isn’t exactly perfect either…

Even young Maria is still the Saintess. I ruffled her head affectionately as she spoke earnestly.

“C’mon, Mr. Evans, read with me. This book is surprisingly interesting.”

“Is it?”

Maria tugged at my collar, pulling me closer.

I leaned in snugly next to her, inhaling her pleasant scent.

But… the book is boring. Really.

It critiques the flaws and paradoxes of the Order, but to someone like me who used to gossip about the Demon God back in the day, it’s all too plain…

Yeah, plain… which makes this time rather dull…

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* * *

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“Cool…”

Maria glanced sideways at the sleeping boy resting his head on her shoulder.

The boy slept peacefully. His eyes sparkled when she suggested reading together earlier, but as soon as Maria began murmuring passages from the book, he quickly dozed off.

“Tsk… For someone who dislikes reading so much to join the book club—it must be because he likes me too much.”

Maria paused her reading, closing the book momentarily. She stared intently at the boy resting on her shoulder, then waved her hand in front of his face.

His eyebrows didn’t twitch. He was deeply asleep.

“Cool… Hmm, Maria…”

“Hmm… I wonder… Should I take advantage of this moment to check your stomach injury again? You said you’re fine, but just in case…”

Curiosity tends to strike when you’re alone. Though hesitating briefly due to moral dilemmas, Maria carefully moved her hand.

Swoosh…

Her tiny fingers gently lifted the edge of his shirt, exposing the boy’s slumbering belly.

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(End)

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