Chapter 881 – The Extraordinary Aspect of the Saint Maiden 4k
“Dragonfolk?”
Audrey sharply turned her head, her eyes shining like rubies.
Pandora’s True Dragon Eye had only activated for an instant, but clearly, it hadn’t escaped her perception.
She frowned slightly and asked in puzzlement, “Is there something wrong?”
Her voice was cold, but finally showed some emotion.
Dark’s gaze flickered, and he quickly said, “This is Senior Pandora Dragon, a fifth-year student from the Mana Academy. She has been managing the library for many years. If you have any questions regarding the library, you can ask her.”
“Is that so?” Audrey’s frown slowly eased as she continued, “I want to find a book by Peter Sherwitch called ‘War Essays.’ Could you help me look for it?”
“Peter Sherwitch?” Dark frowned and asked, “You’re interested in him.”
Peter Sherwitch, the great Archmage of the Golden Generation and the founder of the Magical Animal Club.
As the current president of the Magical Animal Club, Dark was naturally very sensitive to his name.
However, Audrey shook her head slightly and said, “No, I’m only interested in his books.”
Dark pondered for a moment, “So, you’re looking for Peter Sherwitch’s ‘War Essays’? Do you know where it might be, Senior?”
To his surprise, Pandora nodded naturally, “I’ve seen it. If no one has borrowed it, it should be over there. Follow me.”
“Okay.” Audrey’s eyes lit up visibly, much like a golden short-legged cat chasing a toy, she followed, meowing along.
Dark watched their quick departure and couldn’t help but shake his head before following them.
Jessie looked quite helpless, thinking that she had no idea how to deal with her [Saint Maiden]’s temperament.
…
“It seems we got lucky.”
Pandora pulled out a slightly worn book from the upper shelf and handed it to Audrey.
After receiving it, Audrey suddenly exclaimed, “Original manuscript?”
Pandora nodded, “That’s right.”
“I thought having a printed copy would be good enough,” Audrey couldn’t help but gently caress the cover of the book, her face showing evident joy.
Pandora said, “You can read it here freely. If you want to borrow it, you need a Selection Card. However, we can let you borrow it temporarily and register it later after you get the card.”
“Thank you!” Audrey bowed respectfully in thanks.
Pandora replied, “Just following the rules.”
Audrey picked up the book and asked, “Could you wait just a bit longer?”
“Of course,” Pandora responded.
Audrey then opened the book and began flipping through it quickly.
After a while, she seemed to confirm this was the book she was looking for and looked up, saying, “I’m ready. I’d like to borrow this.”
Pandora smiled, “Then go to the counter to process the paperwork. Once it’s done, you can take it yourself. By the way, what were you reading just now?”
Audrey replied, “It was Tolstoy’s work, ‘War and Peace.'”
Pandora remarked, “So, you’re interested in war?”
As Dark thought, ‘Indeed, the successor to the [War Saint·Jeanne]…’
Audrey continued, “The purpose of war is peace. I am more interested in peace, but to achieve peace, one must understand war. Before that, I need to learn more about it.”
Pandora glanced at her and asked, “If needed, would you step onto the battlefield?”
Without hesitation, Audrey nodded, “Yes, if needed, I would.”
“Is that so?” Pandora smiled slightly, her eyes narrowing.
She realized that she and this [Saint Maiden] might not get along well.
But Audrey felt she got along well with this part-time librarian senior. The amount they talked exceeded what Dark had heard from her in a whole day.
When they reached the counter, Pandora briefly explained to Ms. Bella, then completed the temporary borrowing registration for Audrey. After handing the book to Audrey, she waved goodbye.
Their temporary accommodation was already arranged, so whether they went to the canteen for dinner or returned directly to their room, everything was fine.
“If you can’t find your way, just ask any student. Our students are very friendly.”
After Dark gave this advice, he sent off Audrey and Jessie. As a guide, however, he had no intention of leading them himself.
Once they were far away, he turned to Ms. Bella and asked, “Could I borrow Senior Pandora again?”
Ms. Bella kindly replied, “Of course.”
Pandora smiled and extended her hand. Dark took hold of her palm and led her out of the library, much like dancing at a ball.
…
In the office.
Dark sat down and got straight to the point, “How did it go? Did you notice anything?”
Pandora’s expression quickly turned serious.
She first said, “Audrey’s energy within is very singular and pure, completely different from the [Saint Son].”
Dark asked, “Is it holy light attribute mana?”
Pandora nodded and shook her head, “Indeed, there are signs of holiness, but her light attribute mana is much sharper, lacking the warmth and gentleness typically associated with light mana.”
Dark pondered for a moment and said, “Then it must be the magic characteristic of the [Battlefield Saint]. It seems her surname is indeed genuine. She is not only the only [Saint Maiden] chosen by the Church of the Saints in the past decade, but also the contemporary [Jeanne]!”
Pandora said, “I’ve read Peter Sherwitch’s ‘War Essays,’ and the [Jeanne] he describes in battle is almost brutal, undoubtedly a hot-blooded warrior type. But after interacting with her, I found that Audrey’s personality is completely opposite.”
Dark nodded slightly to show understanding, then asked, “Aside from her mana, she must have other extraordinary aspects. When she turned after noticing your [True Dragon Eye], I saw her body create a double image. That clearly isn’t a problem with my vision.”
Pandora glanced at him and said, “If you’re so curious, why don’t you just look with your own eyes?”
Dark blinked, “Isn’t my [Eye of Truth] obvious enough? If I truly use it, her [Guardian Knight] might just attack me.”
Pandora sighed helplessly, “Actually, my [True Dragon Eye] isn’t fully mature yet. I can only speculate based on vague sensations. But if the previous double image wasn’t an illusion, then inside her… she might have two souls!”
“Two souls?” Dark couldn’t hide his surprise.
But immediately, he composed himself and started thinking seriously.
Two souls…
If this had happened two years ago, he might have thought of things like “soul transmigration” or “old grandpa” elements in novels.
But now, his first thought was of a recent case—Wit Gold had also once possessed two souls!
“Is it similar?”
Dark couldn’t help but sink into deep thought.
Seeing him lost in thought, Pandora didn’t disturb him.
Of course, she herself needed time to sort out her thoughts.
…
A short while later, Dark straightened up and said, “The most plausible possibility is that the other soul inside her belongs to the previous [Battlefield Saint·Jeanne]!”
Pandora nodded, “I have the same thought. This is the most reasonable explanation. But if the previous [Battlefield Saint·Jeanne]’s soul is in Audrey, doesn’t that mean Jeanne has died?”
Dark replied, “That’s the issue. The death of such an important figure shouldn’t go unnoticed. Even a grand funeral wouldn’t be excessive. That would certainly be beneficial for the Church itself.”
Pandora said, “I don’t pay much attention to those forces, so I can’t speculate.”
Dark replied, “No problem. This can be easily investigated. But it might be late now. Tomorrow, I’ll check with Professor Shylph to confirm.”
Pandora said, “Remember to contact me anytime. I’m also interested in this matter.”
Dark nodded, “Sure.”
After a brief exchange, they both rose and left the office.
Dark escorted Pandora back to the Mana Academy’s tower before returning.
…
“As expected, both [Saint Son] Evan Pearson and [Saint Maiden] Audrey Jeanne have extraordinary qualities.”
Deep in thought, Dark smoothly arrived at the Tower of Noble Academy.
He lowered his head in thought and casually pushed open the door of the tower.
In the next instant, countless streamers and a special colored substance that sticks to the body sprayed towards him.
The adhesive effect of that substance lasted only fifteen minutes and would naturally fall off without needing to be removed. Once stuck to someone, it could change colors naturally, which was quite fascinating.
A store on Traveler’s Street occasionally released odd alchemical toys that were very popular among boys.
With a black line across his face, Dark removed the streamers and sticky substance from his face and saw the wicked grins of Tudor and Pistons.
What hurt him even more was the sight of the small girls’ group—Diana, Rose, and Eudora—in the corner of the common room…
[April 3rd, 10 PM, Public Restroom in the Tower of Noble Academy. Pranked by Tudor and others. This grudge is recorded!]
“Congratulations on advancing to the quarter-finals!”
Tudor and others’ congratulations rang out only after they had finished laughing.
Gentle, Dark joined his classmates in celebrating for a long time in the common room.
The Golden Cup officially entered the quarter-final stage!
Starting next Friday, the competition would adopt a double-elimination system.
The person who could stand out among these eight would undoubtedly be a worthy champion!
…
After Dark and his classmates had their fun, he returned to the dormitory.
Inside, he saw Aurora sitting there waiting for him—of course, with a pot of fragrant pigeon soup!
“Congratulations on advancing,” Aurora ladled out a bowl of pigeon soup for him and said bashfully.
Dark sat down and sighed, “Luck is also a form of strength.”
Aurora slightly averted her gaze and said, “Um, you and that… do you have anything?”
Dark was stunned, “Anything? What kind of anything?”
A fire cloud rose on Aurora’s face as she lowered her head, “You know, early childbirth.”
“Pfft.” Almost spitting out the pigeon soup.
He originally thought that someone as wise as Aurora wouldn’t be affected by Eluria Clarissa’s pranks.
—Didn’t even Diana, Rose, and Eudora take it seriously?
But now it seemed his thoughts were somehow mistaken… No, Aurora’s thoughts must be mistaken!
He lifted his head and said seriously, “That’s just retaliation from Eluria.”
“Oh.” Aurora ladled another bowl of pigeon soup.
Dark looked around and suddenly felt uncomfortable.
Then he suddenly realized and hurriedly released the [Spell Cage] seal on the Imp Beast.
“Finally out! How fragrant!” The Imp Beast cried out and pounced on the pigeon soup.
Dark smiled faintly, it smelled just right!
…
After delegating the task of summoning the mana golem to the Mana Book, Dark savored the delicious meal.
After eating half a bowl, Aurora spoke again, asking about the [Saint Son] and [Saint Maiden].
Since there was nothing he needed to hide from her regarding those two, he detailed what he had discovered today.
Aurora frowned and said, “Double soul? There is still the soul of Jeanne hidden inside Audrey… No, last year when I was in the Free City, I read reports about [Battlefield Saint·Jeanne]. At that time, she should still have been alive.”
Dark said, “Reports can be fabricated. Besides, it has been nearly a year since then. A lot could have happened in a year.”
Aurora said, “Hmm.”
Dark said, “I have this idea for another reason.”
Aurora looked up to listen.
Dark said, “Do you know about Saints?”
Aurora nodded, “Yes.”
A Saint was a human or demihuman who had awakened a divine bloodline.
The most representative Saint today was Alvaraite Saint Demon, Cynthia Saint Altair, and the principal and the current Pope of the Secret Rite Academy of the Saints.
Not all Saints had the word “Saint” in their names; many hid themselves by not changing their names.
Also…
Dark said, “The Church possesses the technology to create Saints artificially. The current Pope is an artificially created Saint. Artificial Saints vary in quality, but they all shorten their lifespan due to the forced implantation of divine bloodlines in the human body. Although I haven’t heard anyone say it, the possibility that [Battlefield Saint·Jeanne] is an artificial Saint is very high. Therefore, even if she dies at her current age, it would be within the normal range.”
…
…
[Beep—Sleep for a while, continue tomorrow morning.]
