Academy’s Genius Swordsman

< 91. Shoot at the Dawn (4) >

#91

I didn’t think I’d be so surprised when I ran into a dragon while taking a walk. The librarian, who looked at the ring and Ronan alternately, grabbed his wrist and said.

“I know you better than anyone. Follow me.”

“Ummm…?!”

Ronan’s eyes widened. The strength of his grip on his wrist was unbearable. It was almost reminiscent of Marya, which was unbelievable because of the grip that came out of a fern-like hand.

The librarian led Ronan to a nook. Before long, she stopped in front of a built-in bookshelf and looked around.

The librarian pulled out a book titled [Secrets and Beliefs] from the bookshelf only after making sure that no one was watching. Kugugung! The bookshelf was pushed aside, revealing a hidden space. Ronan smirked at the directing that seemed to have been seen a lot.

“Damn, what’s in vogue these days to hide behind a book?”

“Come on in. Who will see this?”

The librarian, who released his wrist, pushed Ronan’s back with both hands. It seemed to be pushing something like a bison, not a human. Darkness came as the bookshelf returned to its original position. A whispering voice resounded in the darkness.

“Wait.”

Soon, the surroundings brightened. A fist-sized beam of light appeared on the librarian’s palm. As she blew a gust of wind, the rays of light scattered like spores of a dandelion and spread in all directions.

The secret space, littered with all kinds of clutter, gave it the feeling of a warehouse. After confirming the lockdown again, she approached Ronan with an expression of annoyance.

“I must not have been wrong. Show me one more time.”

“I just ask a few things. Tell me who this ring is.”

Ronan shook his head. No one could be vigilant. Taking a deep breath, the librarian answered calmly.

“Sarante. This is Sarante Remation, the tower of the Tower of Dawn.”

“librarian? top mage? Was that person from the Tower of Dawn?”

“yes. She was the first top mage who could not handle fire magic.”

“Huh, I didn’t know that… Then, of course, you must know about the goddess Sarante believes in, right?”

“goddess? Uh… has the god you believe in change now? You worshiped some kind of stone until you were with me.”

Ronan shrugged his eyebrows. There seemed to be no further meaning. He handed the ring to the librarian and said,

“Look slowly.”

“thanks.”

“By the way, I didn’t even hear your name. This is Ronan.”

“Please call me Ayre by name. Everyone calls it that way.”

The librarian who introduced himself as Ayrera accepted the ring. She opened her mouth as she looked at the ring with eyes filled with longing.

“…it really is Sarante’s ring. I always wore it on the ring finger of my left hand.”

“By the way, what are you two doing? You speak like a friend.”

Ronan tilted his head. It was one of the things I was curious about. Aire was calling Sarante as if she were a friend, but she did not show the characteristics of a longevity race.

Although he was short, he was not at the level of a dwarf, and his ears protruding through his hair were normal, so he wasn’t even an elf. So are you a vampire? It was a car that Ronan had been reasoning about. Ayre tilted her head.

“Oh, you didn’t know it was your first time here. I am a spirit.”

“Yes? government ordinance?”

“yes. Few people know about her relationship with Sarante.”

Ronan was about to say what nonsense it was. Suddenly, Aire’s body turned translucent and floated in the air. At eye level with Ronan, she continued.

“I’m sorry. The space is small, so I don’t think I can show you the real thing.”

“It is enough.”

Ronan chuckled. There was a reason why it was so strong. Ayre’s body, which had become translucent, was oozing out with mana with a concentration comparable to that of Aun Pillar. he asked again.

“Why are you doing this here?”

It was a fairly high-ranking spirit even to pretend. I couldn’t understand why a being capable of far greater things was staying here. Aire, who had returned to her normal body, opened her mouth.

“Sarante sealed me here. On the condition that if you buy it and do the job right, you will one day release it.”

“seal? Isn’t that a contract?”

Ronan frowned. She scratched her cheek, avoiding her gaze as if she had no face.

“Ahahaha… yes. What should I say… I used to be a little… immature.”

Ayre explained that hundreds of years ago, while running wild, he was caught by Sarante and sealed in the Tower of Dawn. At first, he wanted to destroy the library and everything, but as time went on, he said that reading books was fun and his work suited his aptitudes, so now he is living happily.

‘What the hell were you doing, old man?’

Ronan realized again that he knew nothing about Sarante. It’s not enough to seal a spirit this size, so you buy it and even play a role. Suddenly, Ayre opened her eyes and asked a question.

“So, how is Sarante doing? I left the Tower of Dawn to become a priest, but are you still worshiping that stone as a god?”

“ah.”

For a moment, Ronan was speechless. Apparently, she didn’t know what had happened to Sarante. After thinking for a while, Ronan opened his mouth.

“···sure. I live in the Baidian Mountains. That ugly stone is stuck in the middle of the temple.”

“Ahahaha, that’s true. Could you please tell me what happened with Sarante?”

Ayre’s eyes twinkled. Ronan twisted his lips as he looked reminiscent of a daughter asking for his deceased father’s regards.

I didn’t have the courage to tell the truth. Judging by Ayre’s attitude, it was speculated that he was quite close with Sarante, although not in a contractual relationship.

How can you honestly say that a friend you’ve known for at least hundreds of years split in half and turned into a stone? Ronan shook his head.

“Later. I’m in a hurry right now.”

“Ah, yes. I’m sorry. What did you come here for? I will do my best to help.”

He said that Sarante’s last words were to help the person who brought his belongings. Ronan briefly explained how he came to this point.

that he was cursed. It’s different from a normal curse, so it’s impossible to do it in a normal way. Hearing his situation, Aire nodded.

“okay. You are under a curse.”

“Yes. They said that if you show them your ring, you can get some helpful material. What do you know?”

“Ummm…I don’t know much about curses, but I know where there are books dealing with them.”

Aire has 289 books dealing with curses. He explained that there are more than a thousand books that can only be pointed out in a side-by-side manner. Hearing the terrifying number of heads, Ronan spit out cursing.

“Damn, that’s a lot.”

“It’s not really possible, but I can bring you books that are only available to high-ranking wizards. And you can enter anywhere except the forbidden zone.”

Again the existence of forbidden books was mentioned. Aun Pillar told me to be careful, and looking at the separate space for management, it seemed that these books were quite dangerous. Ayre continued.

“Do not worry too much. You will probably find the answer by the time you leave the tower.”

“I wish I could. Please.”

With those words, Ronan’s hardships began. As soon as he left the secret space, he took a seat in the sunniest place. Aire, who flew in soon after, piled up a pile of books in front of him.

“First of all, the most basic books. [The Beginning of Hatred], [100 Evil Curses List]…”

“It’s not easy.”

“Tell me when you have read it all. I’ll bring you a new one.”

It was like this even though I only asked for books that could only be obtained from the Tower of Dawn and not elsewhere. When I looked at the books stacked up to my eye level, I sighed.

I still couldn’t hit it. There was already a lot of work to do, but when I arrived, I had to gather as much information as possible. After having washed his face, Ronan picked up the book on top.

“Where shall I see you?”

****

Three days passed like that. There have been no incidents since the aircraft’s unsuccessful attempt to shoot down the aircraft. The perpetrator was still not caught, and Phileon’s students, including Erzebet, were still staying in the tower.

Ronan spent all his time researching the data, except for sleeping, eating, and going to the bathroom. Aire, who flew through the air, put down the pile of papers in front of Ronan again and said.

“Have you read all the academic books Mandolle wrote?”

“When Volume 3 is over.”

“Then there are two more books left.”

Ayre flew again. Seeing the wall of paper erected in front of him, Ronan spit out a swear word. Even with the book closed, the text seemed to float in front of my eyes.

“Damn…”

It was true that Ayre said that she would do her best to help. She literally constantly brought books to help Haeju.

Thanks to this, Ronan learned hundreds of curses and healing methods. When Asher suddenly woke up from sleep, she cried and ran to her head saying that she had grown a goat’s horn, but if she had the ingredients, she could lift the curse from where she sat.

The problem was that the most important kernel didn’t come out. There was no precedent comparable to the curse in his body.

Suddenly Ronan put his hand in his inner pocket and touched the metal box. Inside were flame magic scrolls made by Aun Pillar.

‘Do you want to tear it apart?’

He had the urge to set fire to the library dozens of times a day. Since there was no progress, his personality was naturally becoming more sensitive.

Also, it wasn’t the only problem. As I was about to open the book again, I heard someone gossiping from behind. Three wizards who appeared to be in their late teens were pointing fingers at Ronan.

“Look, I’m reading a book today.”

“Be careful. Move the curse.”

“Isn’t it going to explode again?”

Ronan sighed. It was just a pity that I didn’t even have time to grab it and beat it. Turning his head, he roared with bloodshot eyes.

“This chewy guys. If you have something to say, say it into my eardrum.”

“Hey, hey, hey…!”

The frightened wizards ran away. I had no idea how many times this was. Just then, Aire, who had the other two books, flew in. Seeing Ronan moaning while holding her forehead with her index finger, she asked worriedly.

“Why? Where are you sick?”

“Damn, my brain hurts. Ire. I have a question.”

“yes?”

“What happened to the tower? Other than that I almost dropped the infighting.”

Ronan talked about the strange atmosphere he felt from the day he arrived at the Tower of Dawn. He was tired of dealing with wizards who roamed around like corpse-eating eagles and murmured. Hearing his explanation, Ayre nodded.

“Ah… that’s right. There is definitely an atmosphere like that. I think it’s because big and small incidents keep happening.”

“A big or small event?”

“yes. It’s like an experiment that can’t fail… or the animals raised in the tower die… or a person who was fine until yesterday suddenly disappears.”

Suddenly, Aire stretched out her arms in the air. Papers from downstairs flew with a loud noise and were held in her hand.

Ronan accepted the bundle of papers she had given her. Each sheet contained the person’s personal information along with a precise portrait. Ayre said.

“This is a list of missing persons. There are already six.”

Ayre has informed me that missing persons have been appearing steadily for several months. They literally disappeared from nowhere. Even she, who could freely pass through the walls inside the tower, could not find the missing people.

“You didn’t go outside the tower, did you?”

“I would like to think so, but no one has seen it.”

“There are all sorts of weird things.”

“Okay. I think the fact that the top lord is not coming back also plays a part.”

“You mean the top owner won’t come back?”

Top-ju, who went on a companion trip at the end of last year, was originally scheduled to return this spring. However, he did not return until midsummer was over, and Aun Pillar was still in charge of the acting position. Ayre said worriedly.

“He’s a strong person, so he’s probably not going to do anything, and Aun Pilla is doing a good job acting as a substitute…but he doesn’t have a head, so it’s inevitable that he’s nervous about his torso.”

“What if Top-ju doesn’t come back until the end?”

“yes? Ummm, I know that the wizard in charge of acting will become the top owner after a year of continuous absence.”

“Hey….”

Ronan patted his chin as if intrigued. It was said that if the existing top owner does not return by this winter, Aun Pillar will become the top owner.

‘no way.’

Suddenly, a number of disturbing cases flashed through my mind. But he wasn’t sure, so Ronan decided to ask another question.

“What’s in the forbidden zone?”

“Literally, the cursed books are sealed. It is a very dangerous place.”

“I think we will have to look there soon. There is no progress at all.”

“never.”

Ayre said. The smile that had always been on his face had disappeared. She spoke with a smirk.

“Even if everything else goes, I can’t let you in as much as the forbidden zone. If there is a reason I work as a librarian other than being sealed, it is because I am the only one who can manage those forbidden books.”

“Yeah, it’s a book. Do you even eat people?”

“yes. I eat it.”

She nodded her head resolutely. Ronan’s face hardened. Before he could ask anything, Ayre continued.

“There are many strong forbidden books that contain ego. It deceives or manipulates the reader and ultimately leads to ruin. Besides… the book is sealed in the Tower of Dawn. You know.”

“That book? Ah, what is that vague line or what?”

Ayre frowned. Ronan was a book that I discovered while researching materials yesterday.

Vajora of Destruction, one of three books that the devil has ever written. It was a rare forbidden book that there was a time when the king was deceived and destroyed the country. Reading such an explanation, I thought I could understand why Ayre came out so strong. Ronan licked his lips.

‘It’s not that I don’t understand.’

He was not in a position to cover the situation. If there was a clue to unravel the curse in the forbidden book, I was willing to read it completely. Right now, in nine years, the world looks like it’s going to be shattered, but that’s not to say that taboo is a big deal.

But I wanted to sneak in and read, but I didn’t know where to go. There was no way to enter the forbidden zone unless Ayre cooperated. After the conversation, Aire turned her back.

‘For now, I’ll have to read the rest of the books.’

Even if the banned books were excluded, there were piles of books to read. Besides, he still had a few more days to return to Phileon.

Ronan decided to do the best he could before looking for the forbidden book. Actually, the best thing was to find the clue in a book, not a forbidden book. He sat back down and started reading the book.

.

.

.

“······ah.”

Ronan opened his eyes. It was dark all around. The moonlight was slanting through the windows scattered throughout the library.

“…I fell asleep.”

Ronan, who was stretched out, ate his mouth. It must have been that he had fallen asleep. Even getting up on the desk was about to get used to.

Seeing that Ayre was nowhere to be seen, it seemed that it was quite late at night. it didn’t matter Ronan, who had shaken off his drowsiness by pressing his eyelids, picked up the book again.

-Tub-Buck-Tump-Buck…

“Well?”

I could feel the popularity down there. Ronan turned his head in the direction of the sound. A shadow was walking somewhere.

‘Did you come here to do a delayed assignment?’

Ronan shrugged his eyebrows. It wasn’t unusual for a wizard who was obsessed with research to wander around the library late at night. He was just about to infuse mana into the glowstone for reading. A shadow walked past under the moonlight and at the same time a woman’s face was revealed.

“···uh?”

Ronan’s eyes widened. It was definitely someone I saw on the missing person list. Was it the 5th Circle Wizard Parte? I remember it being that name. I looked at the flyer again, just in case, but she was right.

‘Certainly.’

Having escaped from the veil of moonlight, she became a shadow again and entered the depths of the library. Ronan slowly got up.

‘Where are you going…?’

I couldn’t figure out why the disappeared person was wandering around here. However, Ronan instinctively knew what he had to do.

He moved forward with as little strength in his feet as possible. Dr. Sabak. The sound of footsteps stomping on the dust followed her.