Chapter 883: Emma Maltis’s Task 4k
Emma Maltis had no intention of quarreling with the exchange student.
Especially not in a place like the library, which required quiet.
However, when she was about to mediate, Audrey Jeane unexpectedly took out a magic device that could release a soundproof barrier!
This sudden soundproof barrier instantly formed a dueling arena.
And she and Audrey turned into duelists within this arena.
Thus, Emma realized that she had no reason to step back anymore!
As for the cause of their argument?
Who cared about that!
Different interpretations of the book’s content?
Different understandings of the world?
Differences in their values leading to misunderstandings?
Biases caused by different preferences for content?
In short, all sorts of things like these.
Once the argument started, it didn’t matter who was right or wrong.
Given their extensive reading, just one keyword could lead them to debate over a book. Whether due to differences in values or competitiveness, they wouldn’t stop until they found a winner!
“Cough!”
A light cough sounded outside the barrier, but it did not penetrate inside.
Dark Demon froze for a moment, then realized that this soundproof barrier not only blocked internal sounds but also external ones.
From this mechanism, its original purpose seemed to be to provide a quiet reading environment.
Moreover, the scale of the barrier was considerable; unless someone stood directly in front of one of them, they would hardly notice him while engrossed in their “duel.”
However, such an eggshell-like barrier wasn’t impossible to break simply.
It was like a door—though it could block sound, knocking on it would always make noise.
Dark Demon raised his hand, ready to knock.
But as he looked, Jesse Louise suddenly shook her head at him.
Dark Demon paused, then lowered his hand.
Jesse Louise walked up to him and smiled, “Good morning, Dark Demon. The welcome party should be tonight, right?”
Meaning they shouldn’t be disturbed before tonight?
Dark Demon smiled and said, “Louise, I just happened to run into you. What’s going on here?”
Jesse Louise pointed to a seat nearby, indicating they should sit down first.
Dark Demon sat down accordingly.
Jesse Louise sat opposite him and said, “Just as you said, the Saint Maiden also encountered that student named Emma.”
Dark Demon: “Oh, so how did they start arguing?”
Jesse Louise pointed to the books spread between them and said, “Have you seen that book?”
Dark Demon glanced at it and said, “Peter Sherwitch’s ‘War Essays.’ Is there something wrong with that book? I was planning to borrow it after Audrey finishes reading.”
Jesse Louise shook her head and said, “The book itself is fine. However, some of the content recorded in it has minor issues.”
Dark Demon raised his interest slightly: “How so?”
Jesse Louise said, “In ‘War Essays,’ Peter Sherwitch records many stories about comrades he met. Although he uses a diary format, he seems to have considered future sales, thus employing literary techniques.”
Dark Demon asked, “Do you mean he deliberately exaggerated or distorted certain facts?”
Jesse Louise nodded as if he understood, “Something like that.”
Dark Demon understood, “So, it was Emma and Audrey who had a disagreement at some point. Some think it’s a true record, others think it’s fabricated for story effect. Which part exactly is problematic?”
Jesse Louise looked at her and said, “It’s about the record of the ‘Battlefield Saint’ Jenna Jeane.”
Dark Demon immediately understood, “I see, no wonder they were arguing fiercely.”
Based on the intelligence he obtained yesterday, since ‘Battlefield Saint’ Jenna Jeane taught ‘Saint Son’ swordsmanship, she naturally had more influence over the ‘Saint Maiden’ who inherited her surname.
No matter how you looked at it, they definitely had a teacher-student relationship.
Peter Sherwitch was a mixed-blood imp, considered even less favored by the Church than imps.
Although in Dark Demon’s investigation, Peter Sherwitch was described as very gentle.
However, being gentle was impossible for everyone.
Peter Sherwitch might not have a good relationship with the ‘Battlefield Saint,’ thus causing bias in his writings, which led to Audrey Jeane’s disapproval.
Then, perhaps Emma happened to encounter this, and casually mentioned it.
In short, this was very much like something Emma would do.
But Emma likely stood on the opposing side, believing that Peter Sherwitch’s book accurately depicted the real ‘Battlefield Saint.’
Of course, whether this was true or not wasn’t important.
It couldn’t be said that because Audrey Jeane knew the ‘Battlefield Saint,’ her views were necessarily correct.
After all, adults often hide their flaws in front of children.
Someone who was fierce and bloodthirsty outside might be gentle and kind in front of children.
Dark Demon could only say, he really didn’t want to get involved!
…
“So, can we just let it go?” Jesse Louise smiled and said, “Look, rarely does the Saint Maiden show so much vitality. Since I’ve met her, she hasn’t been this lively.”
Is this what you call lively?
Dark Demon looked at Audrey Jeane, whose hands were tightly gripping the table, her face nearly red from embarrassment.
The ‘Saint Maiden’ Miss might be well-read and knowledgeable, but clearly not skilled in verbal sparring. How could she compete with Emma, who excelled in rhetoric?
After all, Emma honed her skills through exchanges with senior Helena from the Literature Club!
However, the ‘Saint Maiden’ was indeed a ‘Saint Maiden.’ Despite having the upper hand, Emma’s cheeks were also red, clearly agitated.
If left unchecked, this verbal battle would continue indefinitely—if that were possible, Dark Demon could only say… well done!
But things certainly wouldn’t develop so easily.
He glanced around and noticed that most students didn’t seem to feel disturbed, even if they were watching a silent play, they seemed to enjoy it…
“Five minutes,” Dark Demon glanced at the time and said.
“Give her five more minutes of liveliness.”
Five minutes later, the students’ enthusiasm for gossip should wane.
If Emma and Audrey still didn’t stop arguing, he would have to intervene.
After all, the library’s reading room wasn’t meant for silent performances.
…
As it turned out, the students’ curiosity and Emma and Audrey’s endurance were stronger than Dark Demon had imagined.
After five minutes, nothing had changed.
Except that Emma and Audrey’s verbal duel showed signs of escalating physically.
Dark Demon sighed and said, “Louise, time’s up.”
Jesse Louise smiled and said, “Alright.”
Dark Demon got up and walked to the edge of the barrier, lightly tapping it. There was no response, so he knocked heavily twice, still without any reaction.
He frowned and injected mana into his palm.
“Bang!”
Inside the barrier, a burst of mana echoed.
Emma and Audrey both stopped, looking sharply in their direction.
Dark Demon kept smiling and waved at them.
Emma’s originally flushed face suddenly turned a different shade of red.
Audrey’s eyes instantly revealed a rare look of panic.
Both stopped arguing for different reasons.
“Pop.”
Audrey deactivated the soundproof barrier, immediately closed her mouth, lowered her head, and sat down again.
“Is it too late to act like a hedgehog now?”
Emma muttered softly and quickly tidied up her desk.
Though she couldn’t resist mocking, she was clearly preparing to leave.
Compared to her, Audrey seemed to finally realize her ‘Saint Maiden’ identity, hating herself for not burying her head in a book to avoid Emma’s mockery.
“It’s over, don’t watch anymore.”
Dark Demon smiled at the surrounding students.
Although the students didn’t stop discussing, they gradually turned away, no longer staring at them.
The reading room slowly returned to its usual whispering atmosphere.
Dark Demon walked to Emma’s table, pulled out the chair next to her, and sat down, preventing her from escaping.
He turned to look at Audrey sitting behind, and suddenly said, “Would you like to move somewhere else and continue the second half?”
Audrey’s ears, which were gradually regaining color, suddenly turned red again.
Emma glared at Dark Demon and said, “It was just a little argument.”
Unexpectedly, Audrey suddenly looked up and said, “Not at all! The name ‘Jeane’ cannot be insulted!”
Dark Demon said, “A hundred readers will have a hundred Hamlets. Excessively intense arguments are unnecessary.”
Audrey: “But…”
Emma said, “You may not know. The person standing before you is the successor of Peter Sherwitch’s club. If you doubt his records, why not let him tell you the truth himself.”
Of course, she omitted the word “club.”
Audrey’s eyes widened.
Dark Demon immediately realized that Emma wanted to shift the focus onto him, so she could extricate herself.
But he wouldn’t let her off the hook: “I merely restarted Peter Sherwitch’s Magical Animal Club. If you want to learn more about Peter Sherwitch, you can visit our club sometime.”
Audrey’s eyes regained clarity.
Dark Demon nodded slightly and said, “Also, the library isn’t a suitable place for arguments. If you want to express your differing opinions, you can host a tea party or a reading group. The Forest Café on Traveler’s Street would be a good place.”
“Saint Maiden,” Jesse Louise approached and said, “If you wish, I can organize a reading group for you. It will surely allow you to exchange ideas with more people.”
Audrey visibly calmed down and said, “A reading group? But even if I want to host one, I have no one to invite.”
Dark Demon smiled inwardly and said, “That’s why a reading group is needed to meet more friends. I believe Emma would be happy to help. She has many friends who love reading.”
Emma’s expression rapidly cooled.
She knew Dark Demon was using her own tactics against her, trying to redirect the blame back onto her.
But she certainly wouldn’t let him have his way. She had no time to entertain a ‘Saint Maiden.’
Before she could refuse, Jesse Louise suddenly said, “What a great idea! This is Emma Maltis, isn’t it? I offer you a blessing of the saints.”
…
Emma couldn’t refuse the suggestion.
Audrey seemed genuinely interested in the reading group and agreed.
Seeing the situation resolved, Dark Demon respectfully bid farewell.
But as soon as she stepped out of the reading room, Emma chased after her.
“How could you do this?” she exclaimed angrily as soon as she caught up.
Pandora at the front desk watched with amusement.
Dark Demon winked at her and said to Emma, “Have you heard of the ‘Mana Spirit’?”
Emma was startled and frowned, “Why bring that up suddenly?”
Dark Demon leaned against the counter, casually saying, “Don’t you notice that changes have already begun?”
Emma’s expression turned serious. She scrutinized Dark Demon for a moment and said, “Is that why Heidi could catch up with me?”
Dark Demon shrugged, “I don’t know.”
Emma believed he had admitted it, and whispered, “What do I need to do?”
Dark Demon hadn’t expected Emma to take it so seriously just from a casual mention.
She must have investigated the ‘Mana Spirit’ in secret quite thoroughly.
There were six students in the second year who received blessings from the ‘Intelligence Deity,’ and among the seven who attended Professor Bode’s ‘Mana Language’ class, only she hadn’t received the blessing.
Therefore, her suspicion of Heidi made sense.
But mentioning only Heidi, she didn’t know what the others not mentioned might think?
Dark Demon smiled slightly and said, “You and Audrey have a good relationship.”
Emma immediately frowned, “Good relationship? This is good?”
Dark Demon nodded seriously, “If I’m right, you’re the only one who has ever argued with Audrey after she became the Saint Maiden. She must remember you. I foresee that you two will become friends.”
Emma frowned, “Dark, your astrology grades aren’t better than mine. And deliberately making friends won’t make you one.”
Dark Demon pondered and said, “Indeed, my mistake.”
Emma was surprised, and after a moment said, “But I can help organize the reading group for her, so she can make new friends. But after that, you must tell me everything related to the ‘Mana Spirit.'”
Dark Demon said, “Of course, this is an equal exchange. My task is to make the exchange students feel at home.”
…
…
[Peck peck, cast a vote for the moon ticket, boost the writing momentum.]
