Chapter 46
“Wow, the library has a place like this? It was always locked, so I couldn’t come in.”
“Assistant Angel gave me the key as a gift.”
“…A gift, huh.”
No, wait.
Would Sigrin really have strong-armed that strict assistant for the key?
Apple dismissed the stray thought.
“Pfft, what’s that? Starting to say something and stopping.”
Sigrin chuckled, watching Apple stammer, flustered for no reason.
Blushing and hanging her head, Apple scurried to Sigrin’s side.
She stood beside Sigrin, peering at the malfunctioning scrolls.
“Are these all defective scrolls?”
Apple picked one up, staring at it.
Sprinkler Scroll (General)
Expected Effect: Sprays water over a wide area
Reason for Disposal: Shoots fire over a wide area
“Yes, they’re defective—either they explode or produce weird results.”
“…I see.”
“Yup.”
“They’re kind of like me…”
“…?”
Humming while browsing the scrolls, Sigrin caught Apple’s mumbled words.
‘What, what, what, what’s that?’
What’s with this sudden gloom?
Sigrin broke into a cold sweat.
“Apple, sit next to me.”
“Huh? Okay.”
“Have you been feeling down lately? You seem low.”
“…Eek, s-sorry. Was I annoying?”
“Not annoying, just concerning. Want to talk?”
Apple sat beside Sigrin, leaning against the scroll shelf.
Oddly, sitting next to Sigrin felt reassuring.
“It’s, like, nothing big… Just, everything feels unsteady.”
“What feels unsteady?”
“Just, everything… The further we go, the harder it is to get good grades in raids without a core, and eventually, I’ll have to choose a core…”
Apple swallowed.
“Everyone around me getting stronger, except me.”
Hm, Sigrin didn’t feel anxious about others getting stronger, but she understood it wasn’t a great feeling.
“What’s the scariest future you imagine?”
“I might not look it, but I was actually a prodigy at our dojo.”
Apple seemed deeply ashamed saying “prodigy.”
“I just couldn’t sense sword ki, but I picked up techniques fast… I think.”
Whirr.
Whirr.
“If I don’t take over, my mom’s least favorite uncle’s son will inherit the dojo, and she’d be so stressed.”
“Hm…”
Sigrin rubbed her chin, pondering seriously.
The only daughter of a dojo-running family would feel that pressure.
Being the second daughter, Sigrin didn’t have that burden, so she wasn’t sure what to say.
Instead, she thought of Eden, the eldest Ebenkera son, always causing her parents grief.
“Imagine the worst has already happened. So what if your mom’s stressed?”
“Huh?”
“Can’t she be? She’s human, an adult—she can handle that stress.”
“…?!”
What, what’s that?
Caught off guard, Apple tilted her head.
“No way… If she’s stressed, she’ll kick me out…”
“Everyone leaves home eventually. So what if it’s a bit early?”
“But I want to aim for the best outcome…”
Apple struggled to breathe, deliberately slowing her breaths.
“I have to make a core in my dantian. If I don’t, I’m done… I have to be a swordsman.”
“Apple.”
“…”
It’s a bit different, but it reminds me of old times.
Honestly, Sigrin wasn’t thrilled about her late-acquired Eye Core.
Though useful, her frail body made her feel doomed to stay a supporter forever, which stung.
“There are futures you can’t avoid and ones you can.”
Sigrin recalled unavoidable futures: the assassination attempt on her mother, the worsening curse.
But she also thought of avoidable ones, her gaze settling on her healthy limbs.
“Resignation is for futures you can’t escape; hope is for those you can.”
“…”
“But we can’t know the future. So hope… can only be rightly held when you’re ready for the worst.”
Sigrin put an arm around Apple’s shoulders.
“That way, even if you feel the fall, you won’t crash—you’ll soar.”
“Then I should just make a heart core…”
Thwack!
Sigrin flicked Apple’s forehead.
It didn’t hurt at all.
“That’s not the point. Do your best, but don’t fear the worst-case scenario too much.”
“How’s that possible…”
Sigrin recalled events from becoming an Eye Core user.
“There’ll definitely be joys in unwelcome futures. Look forward to those…”
“An employment agency?”
“Pfft!”
Having recently learned the stigma of employment agencies among Aurum citizens, Sigrin burst out laughing.
Whirr…
Staring at Sigrin’s bright smile, Apple felt calmer, wanting to hug her but just spun her fidget spinner furiously.
“Stop running your misery circuit and let’s get to work.”
“Okay…”
Apple stood to leave the scroll storage with Sigrin.
A scroll caught her eye.
?? Spirit Scroll (Heart)
Expected Effect: Temporarily borrows the abilities of the spirit most compatible with you.
Reason for Disposal: Borrowing abilities without a contract severs ties with all other spirits except the summoned one.
“…”
Apple closed the door and left the scroll storage.
✦ ✦ ✦
Alchemy class!
Sigrin presented her prepared assignments to Teacher Hiranmidel.
Holy Water Potion, Pacify Potion, Strength Potion, Stamina Potion, Healing Potion.
“You made all five potions already?!”
Nod, nod.
“How’d you get the materials??”
“I have many suppliers.”
The study group, eager to work for discounts, and Dandiraon.
Teacher Hiranmidel marveled at the five potions.
She drank the Strength Potion.
Clenching her fist, she felt considerable power gather.
Then, she pulled out Beauty No. 1 to test Sigrin’s potions.
“Hoo…”
Though all low-grade, most low-grade potions were near-ineffective, making these top-tier among low-grade.
“Your material selection is exceptional… From Ebenkera Family members?”
“No, other students helped.”
“Haha, willingly, right?”
“Huh?”
“Nothing~ You submitted your assignments, so study on your own~ Like Diranmidel said, you’re super diligent.”
Eek! Professor Diranmidel must’ve praised me behind my back!
Sigrin forced down her rising smile and returned to her seat.
‘What? Someone’s in the seat next to me.’
Her spot had been taken while she was away.
Pretending not to be startled, Sigrin sat down.
“Our rising star~! Already submitted your assignments?”
The male student next to her spoke warmly.
Clink, clink.
He wore tons of accessories—earrings, necklaces, bracelets, anklets.
Even his nails were neatly painted navy.
His light blue hair was braided, trailing to the floor, and he flashed a bright smile.
Wondering which town he was from, Sigrin checked for a town sash, but there was none.
Still, his unfamiliar face meant he was likely an upperclassman.
“Hello, Senior. What’s this about a rising star?”
“You’re the head of the rising Sigrin Gang in Lemaos. You subdued Luca as your underling and took over the Lemaos Library.”
Sigrin Gang??
Sigrin Gaaang???
What’s that humiliating name?
“The tension in Lemaos was unreal when you showed up~ Everyone thought you’d seize all the buildings. You’ve been gathering followers lately—what’s your scheme?”
Just trying to make friends normally.
“…By the way, who are you?”
The student burst out laughing.
“As expected, you’re too busy in the big leagues to care about faction fights? I’m embarrassed for being so nervous, kid.”
Wiping tears from laughing, he continued.
“My name’s Kiriki. High school third-year!”
“…!!”
Kiriki??
Sigrin reflexively glanced at Kiriki’s scalp.
A malfunctioning scroll came to mind.
Dead Follicle Revival! Scroll
Creator: Kiriki Dasnelly, Middle School 3rd Year
Reason for Disposal: Didn’t grow head hair; instead, leg hair follicles multiplied and thrived.
His scalp was impressively full, no bald spots.
Senior, you did it!!!