“Oh, El. What a coincidence meeting you here.”
As I was browsing through the bookshelves, a familiar voice called out to me.
“Ah, Selian. Didn’t expect to see you here.”
The place where I met Selian was the library within the Academy. As the best academy on the continent, the library was stocked with a wide range of academic materials, from simple textbooks to papers filled with complex jargon that made you want to give up on the first page.
Students from the Department of Swordsmanship rarely visited unless it was exam season, but it was a different story for those from other departments, especially the Department of Magic, who were said to owe a lot to the library during their studies.
According to student rumors, it was even said that some graduates had spent all four years eating and sleeping in the library. No further explanation needed.
However, due to numerous reports of mistaken identification as homeless individuals, it seems such extreme cases don’t happen anymore.
Interestingly, it’s said that after graduation, the student in question started work—not as a slave, but as a teaching assistant under their professor, though one might wonder why they made such a foolish decision. But, the world is full of different kinds of people.
Anyway, this library, built for educational purposes, was not entirely stuffy. A wide array of books for students’ general knowledge were also provided. Though these books made up a smaller portion compared to the overall collection, the library’s sheer size meant it was impossible to read everything before graduation.
Of course, my purpose wasn’t for exam preparation—rather, it was to explore novels.
“Because the novel you lent me last time was so interesting, I thought I’d come try looking for more.”
Being trained as an assassin meant there was no time for reading leisurely novels. Any spare moment was better spent perfecting stealth or practicing sword skills.
“Ah, you’ve already finished it? You read it really quickly.”
So, it was no surprise that the novel Selian lent me sparked an unexpected interest. I stayed up all night reading it the day she handed it over, only to be caught dozing off in class the next day.
“Yeah, but I’m not sure what to pick next. Just looking at the titles doesn’t give me much of a clue.”
As mentioned earlier, the Academy library holds an immense collection of novels, leading me to seriously ponder what to choose.
I couldn’t let a mere impulse decide my weekend reading. Although impulsive choices might be fun, I wanted the best weekend possible.
“Would it be all right if I helped you pick?”
“Selian, didn’t you come to the library for something? Do you really have time to help me?”
Selian, as a model student, must have come here for exam preparation, unlike me, who had more mischievous intentions. Thus, taking up her time would certainly prick my conscience.
“No, I’ve already accomplished what I came here to do. If you don’t mind, that is.”
Yet, looking at her hands, there wasn’t a single book in sight. If she had visited merely to return borrowed books, she could’ve done so at the desk near the entrance. Her claim of having achieved her purpose was probably a kind-hearted lie to put me at ease.
Selian, in this state, can be rather stubborn. Even if I declined, she would insistently try to help.
If I accepted her help right away, it might actually save her more time.
“Then let me take your help. The last one you recommended was good, so I trust your judgment.”
Upon hearing this, Selian quickly extended a hand, taking down a book from the towering shelves with ease, as if she were a regular visitor.
She handed me a book that was of similar thickness to the previous one, ensuring it wouldn’t be too burdensome to read.
Judging merely by the title, I couldn’t guess its contents. But a book recommended by Selian couldn’t be dull.
“Do you need more?”
“One is enough for now. By the way, what’s your real reason for coming to the library? Exam prep again?”
“Uh… No, er… Oh, yes! Exam prep, I came here for exam prep.”
“Same old, huh. Don’t go telling lies because of me. Anyway, being too nice is really Selian’s problem.”
Caught red-handed, Selian laughingly smiled in embarrassment.
“Why don’t we study together? Oh, wait, I don’t want to disturb you.”
“No! Let’s do it! Study!”
“Shhh, please!”
Dodging the librarian’s glare, I led Selian to an empty study room.
—
Considering the study session would also involve Annie and Yuli, Selian suggested we might waste the evening gathering, so we postponed a group study session to another day.
“Skull Wolves are tricky in group combat since they share thoughts within their packs. But if you take out the leader, they’ll descend into confusion, which you can capitalize on.”
The Department of Swordsmanship was notably practical, including strategies to deal with Monsters and Demons.
In this respect, Selian made an excellent teacher.
“Liches, being incorporeal Monsters, don’t respond to normal attacks, but using magic or aura should handle them without much fuss.”
Demon Eyes… Succubi…
From commonly seen Monsters to some high-level Demons rarely mentioned, Selian was knowledgeable about all their weaknesses, occasionally offering strategies that couldn’t be gleaned without real-world experience, surprising me endlessly.
“How do you know all this, Selian? It’s because you’re from the Hero family and probably learned since childhood?”
“Hehe… Yeah, something like that.”
Apparently, Heroes don’t just appear out of nowhere. From Selian’s usual behavior, it was easy to guess how much hard work and dedication she’d put into becoming one.
“Here, this part might be on the exam, so it’d be worth remembering.”
What started as a mutual study plan had slowly shifted, with Selian sitting close by, tutoring me.
When I mentioned feeling guilty, she assured me it was fine, explaining she benefited from teaching, trying to make me comfortable.
Selian truly was considerate.
—
On Saturday morning, after reading through the novel until the break of dawn, I finally managed a bit of sleep, though overslept, it being the weekend without classes.
The book, recommended by Selian without any wasted effort, was indeed captivating. Captivating, that is.
Though it wasn’t the type I’d want a second round of, as the male protagonist was nothing short of trash.
The female leads ended up leaving the male, and he met a pitiful end, which was somewhat satisfying if only to avoid blood-boiling resentment. In fact, I felt cathartic seeing him get his due at the end.
“Hmm… What about this book?”
Selian once again swiftly plucked a book from the shelves and handed it to me.
The title was “When the Lily Blooms.”
Yet again, the title gave little clue to its content. However, Selian’s recommendations had been spot-on so far. It wouldn’t disappoint.
“Since you recommended it, Selian, I’ll trust it. We should study for the midterm together again today?”
“Yes!”
“Then why don’t you wait in the study room while I get Annie and Yuli?”
This day, unlike the one before, we gathered Annie and Yuli for thorough midterm preparation. Though, in reality, Annie got tutored by Yuli while I got help from Selian.
That night,
Lying in bed, I inevitably picked up the novel borrowed earlier. The pages flowed effortlessly as I turned them one after the other.
“Wow…”
An ordinary romantic novel, yet this time, the tender emotions between two women caught my attention in a way that felt surprisingly different from the norm. Although imagining the dynamic in a male-male relationship might feel nauseating, possibly because I’m a man, I found the female-female relationship depicted in the novel not burdensome at all. Perhaps it was the sheer fact that it was fiction that made it easier to enjoy.
Truly, a well-recommended book by Selian. Next time, I’ll have her recommend another.
Still, this book… It seems to take the intensity up a notch. Wow.
—
The End
