Chapter 173: Library
Laughing lightly, Orion stepped inside. As the carriage moved smoothly toward Thunderpeak Royal Academy, Orion gazed calmly through the window, thoughts already turning toward the library and the precious knowledge he would soon gather, eager for the rapid progress awaiting him.
***
The carriage smoothly rolled to a stop just before the grand gates of Thunderpeak Royal Academy. Orion stepped gracefully onto the cobblestone path, briefly pausing to glance around the bustling square.
Groups of students walked about, so whispering excitedly as they caught sight of him, clearly still buzzing from his feats in the Tower of Myths.
Ignoring the murmurs, Orion walked leisurely through the gate after scanning his student token. Then he headed toward the central garden, where morning sunlight danced across lush greenery and blooming flowers.
The gentle fragrance of roses and lilies mixed pleasantly with the crisp morning air, calming Orion’s mind as he approached the usual gathering spot beneath the grand cherry blossom tree.
Arya and Emilia were already waiting there, seated on a stone bench beneath the spreading branches. Arya was, as usual, animatedly gesturing—likely recounting sothing amusing—while Emilia listened calmly with a faint smile on her serene face, occasionally replying to her.
Arya’s eyes lit up as she spotted Orion approaching, imdiately leaping up from her seat. “Brother Orion, you’re finally here!”
Emilia looked up as well, smiling gently and nodding softly in greeting.
“Morning, Arya, Emilia,” Orion replied warmly, smiling lightly as he reached them. He glanced curiously between the two girls. “What interesting stories have you two been sharing today?”
Arya giggled softly, her eyes flashing with slight excitent. “We were actually just discussing you! The academy is still buzzing about your tower climb yesterday. You’re quite the celebrity now.”
Orion rolled his eyes playfully, sighing softly. “It seems like I won’t be escaping this attention anyti soon.”
[…As if you want to escape this attention. (￢_￢)]
Arya couldn’t help but laugh a little. “Stop acting. You have been the focus of the academy since the day you arrived here. More attention won’t really affect you now.”
Orion shook his head lightly, smiling helplessly. “Let’s move past that. Actually, there was sothing I wanted to ask you both.”
Arya imdiately brightened again, leaning forward eagerly. “What is it, Brother Orion?”
“It’s about the Origin Mana Pool,” Orion began, his expression turning thoughtful. “I plan to visit it soon, but I’m unsure of the process. Do I need permission, or can I simply head there directly?”
Arya tilted her head thoughtfully, her usually playful expression turning slightly serious. “You can’t head there alone. An instructor has to accompany and take you there, since it’s deep inside the academy, in a guarded space.”
“And the instructor also has to supervise students when accessing the Origin Mana Pool. It’s strictly monitored to prevent mishaps. Most students usually pick instructors they’re comfortable with—soone trustworthy. Is there anyone specific you had in mind?”
Orion raised an eyebrow. “Soone will monitor the process?”
Arya nodded. “There have been a few unfortunate accidents before, so the academy started to take precautions.”
Orion thought briefly, imdiately recalling the relaxed yet authoritative presence of Instructor Viren. “Instructor Viren seems suitable. He’s already quite familiar with my abilities from yesterday’s climb, and he also owes one due to that bet he won against another instructor. I’ll find him later at the Tower of Myths.”
Arya smiled approvingly, nodding enthusiastically. “That’s a great choice! Instructor Viren is known to be fair and approachable. He’ll definitely help you.”
Orion nodded. “Then that’s what I’ll do.” His gaze shifted to Emilia. “And how long do you plan to not talk with others? You’re already in the club.”
Emilia’s lips twitched. “…I only talk with L—Lady Arya or her friends.”
“…Do you think I’m any less than her friend?” he asked speechlessly. But he still felt better that she had spoken sothing—at least from now on she would start talking more.
“…” Emilia turned her head to the side and refused to elaborate further.
Orion looked at her speechlessly and shook his head. “Well, thanks for the answers. I’ll head there now. I might be late, so let’s catch up so other day. I’ll seek him out today.”
Arya tilted her head curiously, eyes sparkling. “Is that your plan for today?”
He shook his head lightly, a gentle smile forming. “Actually, no. I’m heading to the library first. After yesterday, I have enough RP to secure several important books. I’ll probably take a few days off from classes to properly absorb everything.”
Arya’s expression shifted to playful disappointnt, mock-pouting dramatically. “Oh, and here we were looking forward to seeing what more ss you’d create in the academy.”
Orion chuckled softly, gently patting Arya’s head affectionately. “Don’t worry, I won’t disappear completely. Once I’m done, I’ll do sothing to entertain you again.”
Arya bead brightly again, her pout imdiately replaced by a cheerful smile. “That’s a promise!”
Emilia’s smile widened slightly, her voice calm yet warmly supportive. “It’s wise to use your RP effectively, Orion. Books from the academy library hold vast knowledge you won’t find easily elsewhere.”
‘Oh? Finally decided to open up?’ He inwardly smiled and said in agreent, “Exactly. With so many precious books sitting there, it would be a sha not to read them.”
Arya clasped her hands together excitedly. “Then we won’t keep you here any longer! Go and gather as much knowledge as you can!”
Orion chuckled softly, feeling amused at her excitent. “Thank you. Good luck with your classes today—I’ll see you both later.”
Orion parted ways with Arya and Emilia, their cheerful goodbyes following him softly as he walked along the ticulously paved paths of Thunderpeak Royal Academy.
The library stood majestically at the heart of the academy. Orion paused briefly in front of its ornate, wooden double doors, taking a calm breath before pushing them open gently and stepping inside.
The library’s interior was a vast chamber filled with countless shelves lined ticulously with thousands upon thousands of books. Soft, ambient mana lamps hovered gracefully near the ceiling.
Students and instructors quietly moved between aisles, their hushed whispers contributing to the library’s peaceful yet scholarly atmosphere.
Near the entrance sat a massive wooden desk, ticulously organized and overseen by an elderly librarian whose sharp, intelligent eyes seed to miss nothing.
‘Hmm? A different librarian on duty today?’ he wondered while approaching the man calmly, noticing that he was already observing him.
“Good morning,” Orion greeted softly, offering a polite bow. “I’m Orion Helstorm. I was hoping you might spare a mont to help .”
The librarian, adjusting a pair of thin spectacles perched on his long nose, studied Orion briefly, his stern expression subtly softening. “Of course, young Helstorm. I recognize you. Yesterday’s ascent in the Tower of Myths has been quite the topic among students. How might I assist you today?”
Orion smiled faintly, slightly amused that even the librarian had heard of his exploits. “I’m looking to strengthen my foundational knowledge of the core elents. Are there books recording others’ understandings of these elents? I’d like to deepen my comprehension, particularly of core elents aside from Fire and Wood.”
The librarian’s eyes brightened appreciatively, clearly pleased by Orion’s thoughtful approach. “Oh? That’s very thoughtful of you. Most students don’t bother to learn anything about elents they don’t possess. Such a wasteful approach, even after I’ve advised them so many tis.”
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