[Hehehe, no such thing, Master! I’m your cute and lovely assistant, after all! (∩^o^)⊃━☆ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ]
Shaking his head, he looked around to see the entire classroom gradually erupt into chatter again as everyone discussed what they had learned. Instructor Alden dismissed them with a wave and an encouraging smile as he left the classroom.
Orion slowly stood, stretching his arms above his head, feeling his muscles relax after sitting for hours.
He glanced toward Nyss, who had quietly risen and was already leaving, her long black hair flowing gracefully behind her like a shadow. He briefly considered calling out to her, but she disappeared too swiftly into the flowing stream of students.
Arya rose energetically beside him, humming softly under her breath as she packed away her things, clearly pleased with today’s class.
Emilia stood up calmly and packed her things as she silently adjusted the strap that secured her spear to her back.
Orion felt excited just thinking about starting rune creation after the lecture. Sothing about Instructor Alden’s words had deeply resonated with him—a feeling both thrilling and comforting, like finding the missing piece to a puzzle he hadn’t realized he’d been assembling.
"Seems you enjoyed today’s lesson quite well," Arya teased, nudging him lightly with her elbow.
Orion shrugged casually. "Instructor Alden has a way with words. Makes things easier to understand. Makes runes feel... alive."
Emilia nodded in agreent. Even she hadn’t learned about runes in such depth.
Arya laughed lightly, her voice soft and pleasant. "Exactly! Vice Dean Hargan’s good, but Instructor Alden’s explanations stick better. Though," she added with a playful smirk, "you better not slack with such a good teacher, Brother Orion. Lest you fail your test."
Orion rolled his eyes. "And here I thought you believed in my brilliance."
Arya placed a delicate finger on her chin, pretending to think deeply. "Hmm, your brilliance is undeniable, but I don’t know about your laziness."
Orion placed a hand over his heart dramatically, feigning offense. "I’m hurt. Truly wounded."
Emilia’s lips twitched slightly, almost forming a rare smile as she watched the playful exchange.
A soft chi resonated through the hall, signaling the end of their ti in the classroom. Orion stood, placing his things inside his storage ring and joining the slow-moving river of students exiting the hall.
As they erged into the sunlit courtyard, Arya stopped, turning apologetically toward Orion. "I have to head back ho today. Mother requested my presence for sothing important—or at least she called it important." Her tone turned lightly teasing. "You know how royalty is. Even tea-drinking can beco a political crisis."
Orion chuckled, nodding sympathetically. "Sounds exhausting."
Emilia glanced between them briefly, ready to leave with Arya so she could train back at ho.
Arya waved cheerfully, turning away with a slight smile on her face. "See you tomorrow, Brother Orion. Don’t slack off!"
"I’ll consider it," Orion replied playfully, watching their retreating backs for a mont before turning toward the towering library building visible across the expansive academy grounds.
As Orion walked alone, he thought back to what he had learned during class. Students hurried past, talking animatedly—so clutching books, others brandishing their weapons.
[Feeling lonely, Master? Want to sing you a song? I promise my singing voice is legendary~]
Lumi teased, her voice playful in his mind.
Orion chuckled quietly, shaking his head slightly. ’Legendary, you say? I’d rather preserve my eardrums, thanks.’
[Mouuu~! Rude! I’ll have you know my singing would charm even the Gods and Demons!]
’Charm them to sleep, maybe.’
[You’re too cruel today, Master. Did Instructor Alden’s lecture embolden you to bully your adorable system assistant? (T⌓T)]
’I don’t recall you ever being adorable.’
[Gasp! Just for that, I’ll double the difficulty of your next quest. You’ll regret this defiance! （＞д＜）]
Orion laughed softly, ignoring Lumi’s theatrical threats as he reached the grand steps leading into the library.
The structure stood before him, looking ancient yet impeccably well-maintained, its white marble pillars entwined with softly glowing mana vines. Inside, soft ambient mana-light illuminated endless rows of neatly stacked shelves.
Approaching the front desk, Orion politely cleared his throat, catching the librarian’s attention. The elderly woman peered up from a rune-inscribed ledger, her gray eyes sharp and intelligent.
"Yes, student? How may I help you today?"
"I’m looking for the Runic Language book," Orion explained calmly. "Instructor Alden recomnded I get one from here."
The librarian nodded knowingly, quickly flipping through the ledger. "Every new student receives a Runic Language guide free of charge, issued by the academy." She withdrew a slim volu bound in leather etched with silver runes and handed it carefully to Orion. "Here you go."
"Thank you," Orion said politely, his fingers brushing over the smooth leather cover, feeling the faint hum of mana imbued within the book itself.
Seeing his polite attitude, the old lady nodded and added, "It has all the 108 Primary Runes that can be found within this kingdom. Most people take years to decades to master all of them. So don’t be disappointed if you can’t learn them quickly."
"I will rember your kind words," he replied politely before stepping outside the library.
[That was fast. I thought you would waste more ti in there.]
’I thought so as well, but the librarian gave the book directly,’ he said, holding the Runic book in his hand.
Putting the book inside his inventory, he headed toward the cafeteria. The busy atmosphere enveloped him warmly, the delicious aroma of freshly cooked als wafting enticingly.
Orion navigated swiftly to the small, cozy stall managed by the familiar elven woman, whose smile widened slightly upon recognizing him.
"Back for more of the porridge, are you?" she asked knowingly.
"It’s addicting," Orion said with a calm smile. "I couldn’t resist. Pack another one for ."
She laughed softly, packing another generous bowl for him. "Good appetite, young one."
After paying her, Orion carried his al outside, finding Lucan waiting casually by the carriage, tossing a pebble in his hand as usual.
"Uncle Lucan," Orion began while walking, "do you only have that one stone to pass your ti with?"
Lucan caught the pebble mid-air and turned toward Orion. "Haha, Young Master, a poor man like needs to find entertainnt in the most mundane of things."
Orion chuckled lightly. "Well, anyway, I need materials for practicing runes—paper, ink, and whatever else is needed."
Lucan chuckled knowingly, taking out a small magical ssaging crystal. "Right away, Young Master. I’ll inform one of the mansion guards to handle it." His fingers deftly activated the crystal, relaying Orion’s instructions swiftly.
Orion nodded, watching him get to work, then climbed into the carriage. Settling comfortably in the plush seat, he took out so moonberries to eat on the way.
[You really do enjoy eating the sa thing repeatedly, don’t you? A bit boring, no? (¬､¬)]
’Says the sentient system who can’t eat at all.’
[Hey! Food envy is beneath ! (ง’̀-’́)ง]
’Hmm, sounds like denial.’
[You’re hopeless, Master. Absolutely hopeless.]
Orion chuckled quietly, feeling content. The carriage began to move, gently rocking him as he watched the surrounding buildings pass by.
’I’m curious about that resonance Instructor Alden ntioned,’ Orion thought quietly. ’Maybe I’ll find sothing interesting while practicing those Runes.’
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