Holy City Magic Academy, Principal’s Office.
Aurora was currently resting his forehead on one hand, while the other absentmindedly twirled a quill.
Below his eyes hung two very prominent dark circles.
On his desk, next to the usually neatly arranged decorations, were seven empty coffee cups.
He had been waiting since yesterday, pushing through the entire time on nothing but coffee.
“She said three days later...” Principal Aurora looked at the magic wall clock for the umpteenth time. The hands were firmly pointed at 7:00 AM the next morning. “Is this wait... getting a bit too long?”
He recalled the words of the black-robed powerhouse when she left: “Fine then, I’ll come back in three days.”
So concise, so certain.
And so, he had been waiting since yesterday.
During this time, he had canceled three meetings, postponed two urgent reports, and even declined an afternoon tea invitation from a high-ranking noble in the royal capital.
He didn't dare leave, fearing he might miss the arrival of the black-robed powerhouse.
“Could it be... that I misunderstood?” Aurora rubbed his throbbing temples, beginning to question his life choices. “Or did something come up on her end? Or... did she just forget?”
The thought of the latter filled him with a sense of helplessness.
What could he do about being stood up by someone suspected to be above Rank 9? He was in despair!
Was he supposed to put out a city-wide announcement? “Your Excellency, do you remember the high-level magic books you promised to come see?”
He was afraid she would just reply with: “Oh, I forgot.”
Just as Principal Aurora sighed for the Nth time and prepared to pack up, considering a quick nap in the lounge—
Someone pushed open the office door.
Principal Aurora: “!!!”
He nearly leaped out of his chair, and the quill in his hand fell onto the desk with a clatter.
The exhaustion from staying up all night was instantly replaced by tension. He stood up almost reflexively, his face quickly forming a professionally respectful smile.
However, under the light, that smile—combined with his heavy dark circles—looked profoundly resentful no matter how one looked at it.
“Your—Your Excellency, you’ve finally arrived!” Aurora’s voice carried a faint, imperceptible tremble. “Welcome! Um... I’ve been waiting for you.”
He almost blurted out “I’ve been waiting for you all day,” but he forced himself to swallow the words.
No complaining! No showing any dissatisfaction!
The person before him was likely a powerhouse above Rank 9, the one who had driven off the Calamity Veen and saved the entire Holy City. So what if she stood him up?
Could a big shot’s sense of time be the same as a mortal’s? Maybe she just went off to save the world or something!
Under her black robe, Lilith actually felt a bit guilty.
She had slept far too soundly. When she opened her eyes and realized it was already morning, she suddenly remembered this appointment.
Through the slits of her mask, she saw Principal Aurora’s panda-like dark circles and the row of coffee cups on the desk.
‘Uh... he couldn’t have really waited all day, could he?’ Lilith thought to herself. ‘That seems... a bit much?’
But on the surface, she had to maintain her cold and mysterious persona.
Thus, the black-robed Lilith simply gave a slight nod. “Mhm.”
One word, concise and to the point.
Principal Aurora, however, felt as if he had received great validation. His spirits lifted. “Please wait a moment, Your Excellency. I will take you to the academy’s Starry Library. The high-level magic books from the academy and those sent from the royal capital are all stored in the most secure area there.”
He quickly walked out from behind his desk, though his legs were a bit stiff from sitting and staying up all night.
He hurried to the door, personally opened it for the black-robed Lilith, and made a gesture of “after you.”
Black-robed Lilith nodded again and stepped out.
Aurora quickly followed, gently closing the door behind him.
“The library is in the academy’s eastern district. It has its own independent magic barrier and guards; it’s usually not open to the public,” Aurora introduced carefully as he led the way, trying to ease the awkward atmosphere.
He stole a glance at the black-robed figure beside him. She just walked quietly without any response, and he couldn't tell if she was even listening.
Feeling even more uncertain, Aurora had no choice but to keep finding topics to talk about. “...Ahem, I am extremely grateful for your assistance last time. You drove off the Calamity, and the royal capital has sent a formal letter of thanks.”
Black-robed Lilith: “...”
Aurora: “...”
The two of them walked through the empty academy corridors in the early morning, one in front of the other.
After walking for about ten minutes, they arrived in front of an ancient-looking tower.
Aurora stepped forward and pressed his hand into a crystal groove in the center of the tower's gate, injecting magic.
Runes lit up one after another, and the heavy door slid inward silently, revealing a brightly lit interior.
“Your Excellency, please.” Aurora stepped aside.
Black-robed Lilith was the first to walk in.
The inside of the tower was much larger than it appeared from the outside, likely using the same principle as the dormitories.
Massive bookshelves reached all the way to the top of the tower, packed with books of various materials.
A few mages in academy uniforms were organizing books. When they saw Principal Aurora personally leading a black-robed person inside, they were all stunned for a moment before respectfully bowing.
Aurora waved his hand, signaling them to continue their work, then led the black-robed Lilith straight to a spiral staircase, heading to the upper floors.
“The high-level magic books are stored on the top three floors, protected by independent magic barriers,” Aurora explained as they climbed.
Soon, they reached the top floor of the tower.
Aurora walked to a specific bookshelf, took a deep breath, formed hand seals, and chanted a complex incantation.
The runes on the bookshelf lit up in sequence, and the crystal covers slowly opened.
“Your Excellency, these are the high-level magic books collected by the academy.” Aurora stepped aside, his tone carrying a hint of pride. “Categorized by school, we have magic books for all elements. Offensive, defensive, support, and summoning types are all here. You may browse freely and choose whatever interests you.”
Black-robed Lilith finally moved.
She slowly stepped forward, her gaze sweeping over the ancient texts that radiated powerful magic fluctuations. Beneath the mask, her eyes lit up slightly.
High-level magic...
Finally, she could get her hands on it.
Rate on N.U.
