Chapter 38

Chapter 12. Course Registration

1.

Sunday morning.

New Student Library at Arsen Academy.

Ervan Yugen, a first-class librarian, leaned back in his chair with a relaxed smile.

Chirp! Chirp chirp!

The sound of birds chirping.

Basking in the warm sunlight streaming through the window, he leisurely sipped his coffee.

‘This year is lucky.’

There are a total of seven libraries in Arsen.

First, there are five departmental libraries that only those affiliated with each department can use.

Next, there is one central library next to the main building. Lastly, there is a library exclusively for new students.

Ervan was assigned to this new student library this year. And this place is the most competitive workplace among the academy’s librarians.

The reason was very simple.

Because there’s less work compared to other libraries.

‘And one more.’

There’s a special advantage here.

That is, until the midterm schedule is announced, there are almost no new students visiting the library.

‘Well, that’s only natural.’

Most new students are busy making friends or focusing on lectures. It’s rare for someone to visit the library so soon after enrollment.

Of course, there are exceptions.

“I came to apply for borrowing.”

A girl with gray hair wearing glasses.

As if she looked like someone who studies a lot, the amount of books she brought was literally a mountain.

“All of these?”

“Uh, is there a borrowing limit?”

“Well, not exactly······.”

“Then please.”

The girl bowed politely.

There are occasionally new students like this. Those who are so enthusiastic that they borrow a large number of books. She must be one of them.

After completing the borrowing record.

Ervan added a note of caution.

“Please return them by next Sunday at the latest. If you miss the deadline, you may be penalized.”

“Yes, I understand.”

After answering, the girl neatly stacked the books in her backpack. Then she left the library immediately.

The library became quiet again.

Ervan glanced at the borrowing record.

【Class 1-3, Silfi Rudina】

<Borrowing List>

-History of the Ancient Desert Kingdom

-On the Disasters of the Desert

-Definition and Types of Cultists

Mostly books related to the southern desert.

Ervan had a curious expression.

That was understandable. Currently, in the empire, all books related to the southern desert are designated as forbidden books due to their association with cultists.

‘Of course, this isn’t imperial territory······.’

But it’s the first time I’ve seen someone openly borrowing only forbidden books. However, his curiosity didn’t last long.

Ding!

Right after the bell on the entrance door rang.

Suddenly, a large shadow appeared.

Ervan’s face stiffened.

“······You came again today.”

A tense gaze.

His eyes were fixed on the new student in front of him.

It was a familiar face. Because this student has been visiting the library every day for the past three days.

‘Ulan Bator.’

No wonder I even remembered his name.

No, I had no choice but to remember.

A 2-meter tall physique. Moreover, he was the only student who always walked around shirtless.

“Good morning.”

“Ha, haha. Good morning.”

After an awkward greeting.

Ulan got straight to the point.

“Can I ask for a recommendation again today?”

As soon as the question ended.

Ervan made a resolute expression.

The reason he reacted this way goes back to three days ago when Ulan first visited the library.

At that time, Ulan made a sudden request.

「I want all the knowledge about weapons.」

A completely out-of-the-blue request.

But Ervan wasn’t flustered. He’s a first-class librarian, after all. So he recommended a book that matched Ulan’s request.

A total of 800 pages─.

The Encyclopedia of Weapons.

‘But······.’

The next day, Ulan visited the library again.

Unexpectedly, with a nosebleed.

Then he said it wasn’t what he was looking for and asked for another book recommendation.

‘So I recommended a related thesis.’

A thesis over a hundred pages.

I thought he would be satisfied with this.

But what do you know?

Yesterday morning, Ulan came to the library looking half-dead. Even with a double nosebleed. And he said this wasn’t it either.

‘I don’t know why he’s getting nosebleeds.’

If he doesn’t get the book he wants today, will he come back covered in blood tomorrow?

A strange fear overcame him.

On the other hand, his pride was also hurt.

He’s a first-class librarian. An elite with a Ph.D. from Arpen Public University. Yet he couldn’t even find a book a new student wanted.

‘I’ll definitely find it this time.’

For the honor of a first-class librarian, absolutely!

Ervan was fired up.

Then he immediately looked at Ulan.

“Could you give me a more detailed explanation? For example, the name of the weapon, or if it was used in any battlefield······.”

“I don’t know the name of the weapon. I don’t even know if it was used in a battlefield.”

A firm answer came back.

Are you messing with me?

How am I supposed to find it if you don’t even know that? As he was twitching his eyebrows, Ulan opened his mouth.

“However······.”

“However?”

“I want the most powerful weapon in the world. One that won’t break even when fighting the Giant Tribe.”

After a very serious answer.

The room was instantly filled with silence.

‘What, what are you talking about? The Giant Tribe?’

The Giant Tribe from old tales?

Are you joking?

Ervan had a bewildered expression. But he couldn’t bring himself to ask if it was a joke. Because the look in his eyes was too serious.

“Ah, such a weapon would probably only appear in myths or legends, right?”

It was a wise response.

A weapon that can fight the Giant Tribe from myths would also only appear in myths.

But then.

A large palm slammed on the desk.

Thud!

The desk vibrated strongly. Startled, Ulan shouted in an excited voice.

“That’s it!”

“······Huh?”

“That’s what I was looking for.”

Ulan smiled happily.

On the other hand, Ervan had a blank expression. It was just a random answer, but who knew it would be the right one.

But the embarrassment was short-lived.

Regardless of the process, he found the book he wanted, so that should be enough. Ervan handed him a note with the shelf number.

“Then I’ll recommend【Mythical Weapons of Legend】. Go to the trainee librarian on the east side of the 3rd floor and show them this.”

“Thank you for the recommendation.”

After bowing his head.

Ulan quickly disappeared to the 3rd floor.

The room became quiet again.

Ervan sighed in relief and sipped his cold coffee. Then his eyes widened.

He suddenly remembered a mistake.

‘Ah, I recommended the wrong book.’

Mythical Weapons of Legend.

From his memory, there are two books with that title. One is a thesis-style book. The other is a children’s recommended book.

And the one on the 3rd floor is the latter.

‘Should I go and tell him now?’

But then he shook his head. He can explain it later when he comes back.

The leisure returned.

Just as he was about to leisurely read a book.

Ding!

The bell on the entrance door rang again.

Somehow, more students are visiting the library today. Ervan closed the book he had just opened and looked up.

And immediately froze.

“······!”

In his eyes was a petite girl.

With silver hair that seemed to hold moonlight and golden eyes that shone like the sun.

The princess of the duchy, Delia Arpen.

With her appearance.

Ervan immediately stood up.

“Y-Your Highness!”

Of course, he had no choice.

Ervan is a noble of the Arpen Duchy.

Although only a baronet, to him, Delia was of noble royal blood.

“Ervan Yugen greets Your Highness······.”

“Hello.”

But at that moment.

Delia’s greeting came a step ahead.

Seeing her bow politely, Ervan closed his mouth. He had understood her intention.

This is Arsen Academy.

The world’s only neutral zone. So here, she doesn’t want to be treated as royalty.

Realizing this.

Ervan sat back down.

“Yes, hello.”

After an awkward exchange of greetings.

Silence fell.

With her mouth closed, Delia stared at him.

Unable to bear the silent gaze, Ervan cautiously asked.

“······Is there something you’re looking for?”

“Just now, giant.”

“Huh? Giant?”

Why is everyone suddenly looking for giants?

As he tilted his head in confusion.

Delia’s voice came.

“Where did, he go?”

“Ah! Are you looking for Ulan······.”

“Yes.”

I thought so, but it was indeed the case.

From Delia’s perspective, Ulan must seem like a giant. Or maybe it’s just a nickname.

“He went to the east side of the 3rd floor. He should be near the trainee librarian.”

“Thank you.”

After expressing her gratitude.

Delia quickly disappeared.

Towards the stairs Ulan had gone.

2.

Meanwhile, at that time.

Ulan received a book from the trainee librarian.

The very book Ervan had mentioned.

【Mythical Weapons of Legend】

-A recommended book for future heroes!

-Explosively popular among children under 7!

Hero. That word made Ulan confident.

This time, I’ve definitely found it.

So he immediately flipped through the pages. Shortly after, Ulan muttered with interest.

“There are a lot of pictures.”

More pictures than text.

No, it’s mostly pictures.

Over 80% of the pages were illustrations, with the weapon’s name and a brief description below.

This fact reassured Ulan.

If it were like the book recommended yesterday, with pages densely packed with text, I would have had a nosebleed from the overload.

‘This time, that won’t happen.’

With a satisfied smile.

Ulan turned the page.

The first thing that appeared was one of the three sacred artifacts of the Holy Nation, a sword from myth.

“Holy Sword Cadaron.”

A familiar weapon to Ulan.

A comrade from his past life and one of the seven heroes.

The sword used by Knight Ian Marcus.

‘It was indeed powerful.’

It could easily slice through even the toughest monster’s hide. Plus, its durability was quite good.

But Ulan couldn’t use it.

Not just because he didn’t want to steal a comrade’s weapon, but for a more fundamental reason.

‘To wield the Holy Sword, you need divine power.’

And it must be pure divine power.

Without divine power, one cannot unleash the sword’s true power. And without its true power, the Holy Sword is just an ordinary sword.

Shaking off his regrets.

Ulan turned to the next page.

“This is······.”

Another familiar-looking weapon.

A bow made from spirit wood. A longbow boasting a large size.

‘Divine Bow Elicicker.’

The bow of Sven Isaac, the sniper of the hero party.

A bow made from wood imbued with the power of spirits, with the advantage of being usable even without arrows.

‘But······.’

This too is unusable.

To wield Elicicker, communication with spirits is essential. But due to the spirits’ aversion to the smell of iron, Ulan couldn’t even attempt communication.

With the memories of his past life.

Just as he was about to turn the page.

“Are you interested in that?”

A familiar voice tickled his ear.

A dry, staccato tone.

It was Delia.

Standing on tiptoe and peeking, she continued with a strange expression.

“It’s our national treasure.”

Come to think of it, that was true.

In his past life, thanks to Delia using her status as a princess to practically seize it, the hero party was able to obtain Elicicker.

After recalling the old memory.

Ulan turned to Delia.

“Do you have any business with me?”

“Not really, nothing.”

Delia shook her head.

But her indifferent answer was short-lived.

She asked with a worried look.

“······Are you okay?”

“Okay how?”

“The Source of Magic, disappearance, I heard.”

The disappearance incident three days ago.

Although everyone returned safely, this incident became quite famous within the academy.

It’s natural she would know.

Ulan immediately responded.

“Nothing happened.”

“Liar. You were hurt, right?”

“I’m fine now. I’ve recovered.”

This was thanks to the ‘Hero’s Enchantment.’

As Noa explained, after the enchantment was engraved, his stamina recovery became incredibly fast. Wounds also healed much quicker.

And as a result.

All scars disappeared in three days.

“Thank goodness.”

Delia let out a small sigh.

A sigh of relief.

With that, silence returned.

Delia fidgeted with her fingers and rolled her eyes. As if searching for something to say.

Then her expression brightened.

She seemed to have thought of something to say.

“Have you, registered for classes?”

Course registration at Arsen Academy runs from 6 AM to 6 PM on Sundays.

The method is simple.

After writing down the desired course list, visit the respective classroom and get the professor’s confirmation, and that’s it.

The current time is 11:30 AM.

Most students have already completed their registration.

Delia was no exception. Ulan must have registered early too. So she naturally thought to ask which courses he had applied for.

But the answer was unexpected.

“I’ll do it a bit later.”

“······What?”

Delia’s eyes widened.

She thought he had already finished registering, but he hasn’t yet? She asked again, flustered.

“Aren’t you, worried?”

“Why should I be worried?”

“Popular courses, might be full.”

“Then I’ll just choose something else.”

“That’s, true but······.”

Stumbling over her words, she trailed off.

Because course registration usually involves choosing courses where you can get good grades or courses you’re confident in.

But Ulan was different.

He didn’t care which courses he chose.

Delia narrowed her eyes.

‘Does he think he can handle any course?’

That was likely the case.

Ulan was the top scorer. He must have confidence, hence his reaction. Delia judged so.

“Have you, decided on, which courses?”

“I’ve picked a few.”

“Can I, ask?”

Delia cautiously handed over a notebook and pen.

Since there was nothing to hide, Ulan nodded readily. Then he scribbled down the courses he planned to register for later.

◆Military Department

[Weaponry], [Combat Skills], [Tracking Techniques]

“Your major is, the Military Department.”

It seemed likely.

Delia silently nodded.

Next was the list of minor courses.

◆General Studies

[History of Weapons], [History of War], [Advanced Mathematics]

Upon seeing this.

Delia’s eyes widened.

It was surprising that he chose General Studies as a minor, but even more so because it included a course she never expected.

“Advanced, Mathematics?”

Ulan? Registering for math?

It doesn’t suit him at all.

Unable to contain her curiosity, Delia asked with a curious look.

“Are you, good at math?”

“I can do it to some extent.”

A confident expression.

Unexpected. He didn’t seem like someone with a connection to math.

Delia looked at Ulan with renewed interest. Meanwhile, Ulan clenched his fist.

‘Now, addition and subtraction are perfect.’

He can even do mental math for two-digit numbers.

There’s nothing more to learn about addition and subtraction.

‘So now, it’s time······.’

To learn multiplication.

The pinnacle of math that even Ajuheuh, who taught him two-digit addition, didn’t teach!

As his crimson eyes shone with determination.

“Ulan.”

Suddenly, Delia called his name.

With a somewhat suggestive tone.

“Didn’t you, register for, the Magic Department?”

“I have no intention of learning that.”

“······Why?”

“Because I don’t need to.”

A firm answer came back.

To be precise, he doesn’t even understand the principles of magic, so he can’t learn it in the first place. And even if he could, Ulan had no particular interest in magic.

The reason was simple. Swinging an axe is much easier and simpler than chanting spells.

Meanwhile, with the returned answer.

A slight disappointment appeared on Delia’s face.

Feeling an inexplicable sulkiness.

“······Huh?”

Something caught her attention for a moment.

At the end of the notebook.

There, written in Ulan’s handwriting, was the course name ‘Practical Hunting.’ As she looked at it curiously, Ulan’s answer came.

“That’s on hold.”

“What does, that mean?”

“In case some courses become unavailable, I left it as a backup.”

The professor for Practical Hunting, Stella.

The woman he met at the special skills test during the entrance exam told him that even if the course is full, she would accept him anytime.

It was suitable to keep on hold.

Meanwhile, after hearing Ulan’s answer.

Delia suddenly smiled mysteriously.

“I see. I’ll keep that in mind.”

“What for?”

“There’s, something like that.”

Delia evaded the answer.

Not particularly curious, Ulan didn’t press further. As silence returned, Delia tilted her body.

“Then, later······.”

See you later.

She was about to say that.

But she couldn’t finish her greeting. Because a strange voice came a step ahead.

“Oh? Ulan?”

A voice filled with surprise.

Along with it, Ulan and Delia’s gazes turned. There stood a girl with light blonde hair, holding a stack of swordsmanship textbooks.

Ivella Elea’ad.

Chapter 12. Course Registration

---