Chapter 48: It could be considered mutual help

On the podium, the balding old professor slowly set down a magic theory book as thick as a brick. With a somewhat weary “Class dismissed,” the classroom instantly filled with noise.

Simon was the first to leave.

He had no extra time to waste.

As he walked, he seemed to hear someone calling his name.

Simon instinctively shivered.

‘That voice, that tone…’

If he guessed correctly, he stiffly turned his head.

Sure enough, he saw that striking crimson hair, it was Lila again.

The moment Simon saw her, his temples began throbbing, and a headache hit him instantly.

Yet he couldn’t show even a trace of impatience on his face, so he could only respond respectfully,

“Young Lady, what can I do for you?”

“Simon, you’ve been studying seriously in class, right?”

Lila, presenting herself as a villainess, stared at him with great interest.

“Yes, Young Lady.”

Simon groaned inwardly. He had no idea what Lila meant by this sudden question, so he could only answer stiffly while silently praying this wouldn’t turn into another round of torment.

“Good.”

Simon looked at Lila and noticed she was actually smiling brightly.

But to him, that smile was more terrifying than a demon’s grimace.

‘Has she come up with some new way to torment me?’

“Then you can help me review.”

‘…Huh?’

Simon froze.

This was Lila’s carefully thought-out plan to pass, find someone who had already mastered the material and have them teach her, achieving twice the result with half the effort.

Besides, she had been properly training Simon, so it counted as a fair exchange.

Seeing Simon stunned, a trace of displeasure flashed in Lila’s eyes, and her expression darkened.

“Don’t tell me you’re unwilling? Or have you forgotten your place?”

Sensing the blade-like danger in her tone, Simon snapped back to reality.

“Of course I can. Since it’s the Young Lady’s request, I’ll naturally do my utmost.”

The words slipped out immediately, cold sweat forming on his forehead.

Being around this villainess was like walking a tightrope in the sky, one misstep and he’d fall into the abyss.

And even if he made it across safely, there’d be no reward.

“At least you know your place. You’re nothing but my dog, I never gave you the right to refuse.”

Lila snorted coldly.

“You’re absolutely right, Young Lady.”

Simon lowered his head.

Though what he really thought was: it’d be great if she just disappeared.

“Alright, let’s go to the library. Now. Immediately.”

Lila raised her chin in satisfaction, a hint of smugness flashing in her eyes.

Simon had no choice but to follow her toward the library.

The library of Kasel Academy, known as the Abyss of Knowledge, was renowned across the entire continent, one of the largest libraries in existence.

In a world where magical knowledge had become increasingly valuable, so much so that it could determine a mage’s fate, libraries were rarely open to commoners for free.

Yet the Abyss of Knowledge broke that norm, opening its doors to academy students. Of course, to borrow books, one had to present a small student badge.

Though small, this badge was proof of identity, granting access to all kinds of facilities within the academy.

The two entered the library one after the other. As soon as they pushed open the door, a unique scent of aged paper mixed with magical ink washed over them.

Towering bookshelves stretched endlessly upward, reaching toward a dome illuminated by magical lights. Everywhere they looked was a forest of shelves.

As the top academy on the continent, Kasel naturally imposed heavy academic pressure. The first floor was packed with students studying.

Not only were they reviewing basic theory, there were also countless strange and varied spells of different attributes stored here.

Those magical books containing precious knowledge were placed on the shelves almost casually, like ordinary books. Yet no one dared to harbor ill intentions toward them.

Anyone who violated the rules would be captured by the disciplinary department and thrown into confinement, without exception.

Lila scanned the area and found no empty seats, frowning slightly.

“Tch, no seats. Let’s go upstairs.”

She lifted her foot, heading toward the stairs, with Simon following closely behind.

“Wait, you two.”

Just as they were about to step onto the stairs, a gentle voice called out from the side. They both stopped and turned.

Behind the counter stood a blue-haired girl with short hair, wearing neat academy uniform and glasses. She looked somewhat timid, with a stack of books piled in front of her.

Seeing them, she continued,

“Are you heading upstairs to find seats?”

“What else would we be doing?”

Lila shot back, then added impatiently,

“So what is it? You’d better have a reason, or I won’t let this slide.”

Faced with Lila’s sharp tone, the girl was clearly at a loss.

Noticing her slightly pale face, Lila couldn’t help but wonder…

‘Has she never met someone as aggressive as me?’

Lila glanced at her chest badge. It was green, with the name Yilanna Lin written on it, and below that, in small letters: Librarian.

Staff in the academy’s public facilities were generally divided into two types: official staff, who had higher pay and more important duties, marked by blue badges; and temporary staff, marked by green badges.

Most temporary staff were students, part of the academy’s work-study program.

If Lila hadn’t recruited Simon into the restaurant, he would probably be working somewhere like this now.

After a moment’s thought, Lila decided not to press further with harsh words.

“Is that all it takes to scare you? How boring.”

She sounded uninterested, then added,

“Fine, go ahead. What is it?”

Yilanna took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. She adjusted her glasses and said,

“Recently, people have been hearing a child’s voice on the second floor. But when they go to look, there’s no one there. Now no one dares to go up anymore.”

“But it’s just strange noises, nothing else has been seen. It might just be a prank using magic. Professionals will come to investigate later.”

“So if possible, please don’t go upstairs for now.”

‘So… something creepy, huh?’

But this was a world of magic, ghosts or spirits weren’t exactly unreasonable.

And with her current strength, she felt she could handle something like that.

After thinking for a moment, Lila said casually,

“Alright. Since no one’s on the second floor, Simon, let’s go there.”

‘…What?’

Yilanna looked utterly stunned.

“Miss, I don’t think you understood what I said…”

She tried to stop them again.

“No.”

Lila cut her off immediately.

“In fact, it’s precisely because I understood that I want to take a look. Right, Simon?”

‘Why am I being dragged into this…’

Simon sighed inwardly. Though it sounded like Lila was asking for his opinion, he had no choice at all.

“Yes, the Young Lady is right. I think we should go take a look.”

He flattered her.

“Good. Let’s go.”

Lila ignored Yilanna and stepped onto the stairs.

Simon followed behind.

Yilanna could only watch their backs, confusion written all over her face.