Chapter 89. Let's Go to the Library

“I'm… at risk of failing?”

A crack formed on Tunia's cold expression.

She had never dreamed that the pop quiz she took in the last Summoning Magic lecture would lead to such a result.

‘Isn't this dangerous?’

No matter how much it didn't count toward her grade, a test was a test.

If she performed this poorly on a pop quiz, she wouldn't be able to get a good score on the actual exam.

Radel encouraged the disheartened Tunia.

“Don't worry. If you go to the library, you can definitely avoid failing.”

“Really?”

“Of course, I, who have been there, guarantee it.”

Tunia nodded.

Seeing Radel speak with such conviction, it seemed that just going to the library really did help with studying.

Hadn't Professor Marianne specifically asked Radel, the grade representative, for a favor?

To help the students at risk of failing to study at the library.

Was it because she was shocked by the fact that she was at risk of failing? Tunia somehow found herself trusting Radel's confident words.

Especially whenever he mentioned the library, a strong belief could be felt in his eyes.

As if all problems would be solved just by going there.

“Can you tell me where the library is?”

“I was just about to go. If you're okay with it, would you like to go with me?”

“……Okay.”

As soon as Tunia made her decision, she prepared to follow Radel to the library.

It seemed she had neglected her theory studies, having been focused only on assassination missions.

Now, she was determined to attend the academy diligently.

There was something she had realized after quitting being an assassin.

That to get a good job, you need a good education.

Although she had entered for a mission, the academy was the empire's best educational institution.

Even to be a good role model for her younger siblings who were worried about their future, Tunia wanted to study hard and graduate from the academy safely.

However, according to the academy's rules, receiving a failing grade three times meant expulsion.

And yet, she was among those in the dangerous risk-of-failing group.

Tunia resolved to pay more attention to the studies she had been putting off until now.

‘Alright.’

Radel smiled inwardly as he watched Tunia head to the library with him without any argument.

It was all going according to plan.

There was no way Tunia, who had even torn up her withdrawal letter, would lack passion for the academy.

He had thought that if she found out she was at risk of failing, she would start studying on her own.

And so, Tunia ended up entering the library with Radel.

Radel, standing in front of the library door, asked Tunia.

“Did you by any chance bring your hidden weapons?”

Tunia glared at Radel with a chilly expression.

It's been a while since she quit being an assassin, what did he take her for.

‘How did he know?’

……It was true that she had brought her hidden weapons.

Even though she was inside the academy, walking around without a single weapon was an unsettling affair for her.

It was a habit ingrained in her from living her whole life as an assassin.

However, regardless of what Tunia thought, Radel continued his advice with a serious expression.

“Make sure you have them. You'll probably need them.”

Weren't they here at the library to study?

Tunia was confused by Radel's advice.

‘Why hidden weapons in a library?’

Could it be that he was indirectly telling her to be sharp with her memorization when studying?

They were words she simply couldn't comprehend.

* * *

A short while later, Tunia, who had gone into the library, came out trudging.

Seeing her mechanically putting dried fruit into her mouth, as if she was tired, it was clear that Tunia had gone through the same experience as Radel.

“How was it?”

When Radel asked, Tunia's expression darkened.

“It told me to try shooting a poison dart at it if I wanted to get out of here.”

At first, Tunia hadn't understood Radel's words about bringing hidden weapons.

However, the moment she picked up a book in the library, she was startled by the sudden appearance of the library spirit and, out of ingrained habit, threw a hidden weapon, which became the problem.

‘What are you?’

The library spirit blocked Tunia's attack and showed interest.

‘An academy student with assassination skills? Khahaha!’

The library spirit spread its pages and flew up and down.

It was rare for a freshman to throw a hidden weapon as soon as they entered this space.

The library spirit, who had been bored of seeing the same magic every day, was in high spirits after encountering interesting freshmen one after another.

First, the guy with the sword, and now, the one who throws hidden weapons.

‘Do you happen to have something like a poison dart? I'm bored, so try shooting a few at me! Then I'll cut you some slack on a few questions!’

Tunia's expression gradually grew colder as she heard the absurd request.

Her expression became even chillier when she learned that she had to answer the spirit's questions to move on to the next book.

Tunia, recalling the unpleasant memory, said to Radel.

“Its personality was really strange.”

Thanks to Radel's advice to bring hidden weapons, she was able to pass easily, but she didn't feel very good about it.

It felt like being pushed to show off a talent she didn't want to.

Radel also nodded.

“I agree.”

Hearing Tunia's words, he felt that he, who had just stopped at showing his swordsmanship, had it better.

No matter how sick it was of seeing magic, what was with asking someone to shoot a poison dart at it?

When one thinks of spirits, one usually imagines pure and clear beings of nature, but the spirit of the library was not like that at all.

Still, it was true that she had studied thanks to the spirit of the library.

Even Tunia acknowledged that.

It took much less time and was more efficient than studying alone.

The spirit of the library not only asked key questions but also pointed out parts that were easy to miss.

It was no different from the best tutor, who even prepared them for the practical exam by making them practice.

Now it was time to recruit Tunia, who had come to know the spirit of the library.

“Next, I want to take Inette to the library.”

As Radel hinted, Tunia caught on.

This was clearly a request to help take Inette to the library.

As it happened, Tunia was also thinking that it was a waste to keep such a good place to herself.

Tunia opened her mouth.

“Shall I help?”

Radel's face lit up as he nodded.

“I would be really grateful if you did.”

And so, a group to take Inette to the library was formed on the spot.

* * *

The common room of the Black Falcon Dormitory.

First-years were doing their assignments in various parts of the common room.

“Did you see Understanding Summoning Magic, Volume 1?”

“I haven't even finished my assignments yet, where would I find the time to go to the library.”

Everyone was so swamped with assignments that they couldn't even think about preparing for the midterms.

“What are you going to do about the Combat Magic field training?”

“It's been extended until next week, so we have to go this weekend no matter what.”

The professors threw assignments at them endlessly, as if they thought the students were only taking their classes.

Just digesting them took up too much time.

Gusto, like the other first-years, entered the common room to finish the mountain of assignments.

“You're here to do assignments too?”

Seeing Gusto, Inette, who was scribbling something, acknowledged him.

It seemed Inette hadn't even started her assignments yet.

“Yes. But what are you doing now?”

“Making a plan.”

Gusto sat opposite her and glanced at Inette's planner.

He thought it might be a plan to prepare for the midterms, but what he saw was very different from his expectations.

“A to-do list for after the midterms are over……?”

Gusto let out a sigh.

The moment he saw the item ‘1. Go shopping in Marcellent,’ he knew what kind of planner this was.

“I don't think this is the time for this.”

“This is a very important matter for me, you know?”

Inette explained with fiery eyes how much this plan motivated her to study, but Gusto was not very convinced.

“Have you forgotten what midterms are? If you have time for this, it would be better to do your assignments.”

“I'll do my assignments later! And isn't it enough to just do well on the practicals?”

Gusto shook his head firmly.

“No. For the midterms, the written and practical exam scores are weighted equally.”

“What? Why are you telling me that now!”

Inette jumped up as if she had never imagined it.

“I thought the practical exam scores were worth more!”

“The professors announced last class that it would change starting from this exam. Don't you remember?”

At Gusto's words, Inette clutched her head.

“……You're lying.”

She felt like she had heard something similar, but she couldn't remember the details.

Until now, Inette had firmly believed what she had heard at the beginning of the semester.

She had been relieved by the words that the academy exams had a higher weight on practical skills.

‘When on earth did it change?’

This meant she had to study for the written exam without a choice.

One of the things Inette hated was sitting still and studying.

If constantly studying without being able to do anything else wasn't torture, what was?

Inette's vision went dark.

She recalled the information Radel had told her before.

That the midterm report card would fly directly to her parents. Just imagining it was enough to make her stomach churn.

She imagined her mother, Celiana Dastion Cretian, smiling at her.

She would tease her relentlessly, asking if this was why she had made such a fuss about not going to the academy.

Just as Inette was having all sorts of imaginations about the report card, two people appeared in the common room.

It was Radel and Tunia.

The two looked around the common room as if searching for something, then, with quicker steps than usual, approached Inette and Gusto.

Their eyes were like those of a predator that had found its targeted prey.

Seeing the two, whose atmosphere was somehow unusual, Inette had an ominous premonition.

* * *

The ominous premonition was not wrong.

“No! Why would I go to the library?”

Inette flatly refused Radel's suggestion to go to the library.

Somehow, Radel's appearance as he approached them had seemed strange.

However, this level of reaction was within Radel's expectations.

Radel smiled at Inette's words and said.

“Because you, Inette, are at risk of failing?”

“That's why I said I'll take care of it myself!”

Being at risk of failing wasn't a good thing, but it wasn't like she had actually failed, was it?

In Inette's view, it was something she could fully make up for.

What was she supposed to do about the score she had already received?

Besides, it wasn't the real exam, but a pop quiz!

Inette was confident.

No matter how much she disliked sitting still and studying, she wouldn't get a score so low that it would damage her authority as a princess.

However, her friends seemed to think differently.

“Mmph!”

Tunia quickly moved behind Inette and covered her mouth.

Inette, whose mouth was covered with a piece of cloth, was startled and tried to struggle, but Radel and Tunia were too swift.

“Those at risk of failing have no right to speak, Inette.”

Radel, having said that, nodded to Tunia, who was restraining Inette.

Tunia quickly understood and took out a sack to put Inette in.

“Inette, let's go to the library quickly. The books are waiting for you.”

As Tunia whispered, Inette felt a strong sense of betrayal.

How could she cooperate with Radel, of all people!

It was unfair, but there was no way to get out of here.

And so, Inette was kidnapped to the library in an instant.