Chapter 1422: The secret archive
A short while later — The Grand Library of the Stellar Academy
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"Umm... is something going on here?" Shaddad finally broke the silence, glancing nervously from side to side. His eyes bounced between Robin and Voltar, both of whom were locked in an intense, wordless exchange.
Robin was staring at Voltar with eyes wide open—not in shock, but in keen, ravenous curiosity, like a researcher discovering a newly unearthed species. Meanwhile, Voltar, the living automaton, stared back at him with an expression that could only be described as pure, refined annoyance. His mechanical eyes glowed with restrained contempt.
"If this foolish human hadn’t made a request that borders on delusional, we wouldn’t be frozen here like statues," Voltar finally spoke, his voice sharp and metallic. He crossed his arms behind his back, straightening up with the posture of someone guarding the secrets of gods. "He wants entry to the Secret Archive. The Secret Archive, mind you! Who does he think he is—the founder of the Academy himself?!"
"Come on, Voltar," Shaddad said with an awkward smile, trying to mediate. "Don’t be so harsh on the guy. Didn’t the Headmistress grant him unrestricted access?"
"The access she granted was to the library only," Voltar snapped instantly. "The Secret Archive is a separate sanctum. I may be its warden, but even I don’t dare touch what’s stored within unless ordered to. That chamber contains the most sensitive and sacred records in our entire history. Chronicles etched by the hands of the Academy’s former sovereigns. I would sacrifice this entire library, every book in it, before letting a single page of the Archive be touched casually."
Then, as if to drive the point home, Voltar stepped forward and tapped Robin directly on the forehead. "Even the vice head—the second most powerful figure in this institution—requires a written decree to enter that place."
"I’m not here to claim dominion over the Archive," Robin replied coolly, voice calm, though a glint of humor flickered in his eyes. He smiled slowly, eyes tracing Voltar’s frame with admiration bordering on amusement, "I just want to read some of the documented insights about Soul Power—how to cultivate it, master it, and evolve it into the form of a Royal Soul Master. But if that’s too much to ask, I don’t mind. I’ll simply stay here and... study you instead. After all, aren’t you considered part of the Academy’s assets? Technically, that would make you a walking, talking archive of your own. Hehehe~"
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