Chapter 127 : Chapter 127
Chapter 127. Contracting with a Spirit (1)
The Library of the World.
A place where all knowledge of this world is recorded.
It is unknown how it came into existence, but what is certain is that it has been there since the beginning of the world.
And the existence managing that Library of the World was the spirit of the library.
“That was my fate.”
The spirit of the library slowly fluttered its pages.
It seemed to be reminiscing about those days for a moment.
“I was born together when the spirit world came into existence. And I knew immediately. That the existence born to manage and protect the Library of the World was me.”
Great Spirits each had their own missions.
Changing seasons, sprouting flowers and trees, making rain fall and snow fall.
Among them, the spirit of the library protected the continuously increasing records of the world.
The only thing it could do in the endlessly stretched vast library was read and manage books.
Books increased as time passed.
Records of various races piled up.
The spirit of the library learned about the world by reading the records of the world.
If it was looking at books, the world changed very quickly.
Especially the records of humans were interesting.
Although they are a race with short lifespans and weak bodies, they lived their best as much as their lives were short. Especially after getting to know magic, they developed dazzlingly.
‘Magicians also form contracts with spirits.’
Reading those records, the spirit of the library felt somewhat excited.
It also imagined forming a contract with a human and going on an adventure.
And it realized.
It could never go out into the world forever.
Because protecting the Library of the World was its fate.
Actually, it wasn't such a sad thing.
The duties and responsibilities given to it were very honorable.
However, sometimes it felt bitter.
Perhaps it was because of the vague premonition that there would be no record of itself in this library forever.
“At that time, a human appeared.”
The spirit of the library trembled as if the past came to mind.
Its intense reaction shook the space.
“Was it a bad thing?”
When Radel asked, the spirit of the library shook its body up and down and shouted.
“It cannot be explained with such words. Because something that shouldn't have happened happened!”
It still remembered vividly.
A memory that wouldn't be forgotten even after hundreds of years passed!
To think a mere human intruded into the Library of the World.
The spirit of the library was very flustered.
‘If you do not leave right now, I will eliminate you!’
‘Eh, that’s too much. I only came because it looked interesting while passing by.’
He introduced himself as a human magician.
‘A human magician crossing dimensions?’
‘If not, how would I have come here?’
‘I have never seen such a record!’
Crossing dimensions was impossible even for an Archdemon.
At least one could barely move after forming a contract with an existence of another dimension.
Even if one visited briefly borrowing the power of magic, only the soul moved.
But the magician in front of its eyes had a human body with a perfectly beating heart and flowing blood.
‘How can a human……. There is no way he possesses this much power.’
No matter how outstanding a magician, a human is a human.
Then does it mean this person surpassed humans.
However, no matter how much it searched the library, there was no information about this magician.
To think such an existence outside the standard wasn't written in the place where all knowledge of the world is recorded!
‘It makes no sense. This is a place where the birth and death of all beings are recorded. Even if you are not human, you should be written in some book.’
‘Ah, really? I don't know well but maybe because I pioneered my fate.’
The spirit of the library felt curiosity rising.
‘Pioneered fate? Do you mean you went against fate?’
‘It could be seen as such. Why? Curious?’
At the human magician’s words, the spirit of the library was slightly shaken.
‘If you want, I will tell you. Instead, let’s make a contract with me.’
‘Funny talk! I have a mission. A great job of protecting this library.’
‘Still, if you just stay here continuously, it’s boring.’
Honestly, it was curious.
How the outside world seen only through records was.
Furthermore, if this human magician left?
It might not be able to meet anyone in the future.
It didn't think there would be another human besides this magician who could enter the Library of the World.
Maybe it was the first and last chance to try a contract.
The spirit of the library eventually ended up contracting with that human.
That was the beginning of the fraudulent contract.
* * *
“……Like that, I was scammed.”
Radel nodded listening attentively to the spirit of the library’s story.
“So you became trapped in the Academy library.”
“That is right! Thanks to that unfair contract, I had to be tied to the Academy for hundreds of years! Not even being able to return to the Library of the World!”
The spirit of the library, seemingly angry while speaking, opened its pages wide.
And shook its book body wildly.
“This body! I, the manager of the Library of the World! Trapped in this tiny Academy library! Cleaning up after snot-nosed students!”
The spirit of the library fumed and flipped pages rapidly.
Then countless names unfolded on the pages.
Famous or great magicians.
Archmages who left a mark on the Empire’s magic history.
Their names appeared and disappeared in an instant.
“After becoming like this, I searched for that bastard. That guy who made me like this and ran away! I searched all records in the Academy, professors’ theses, human history books, magic tomes, there is nothing I haven't searched. But I couldn't find his trace anywhere!”
It seemed the spirit of the library could read not only the books in the Academy library but all records in the world.
Indeed, an ability befitting a Great Spirit.
While Radel was admiring inwardly, the spirit of the library, who was floating in the air and shouting wildly, came down to the floor as if sighing.
“He completely disappeared from the world. He must be dead already, since human lifespans are short. But it doesn't matter. If only I could find even a little trace of that bastard……!”
It was interesting content.
Radel felt strong emotions from the resentment and anger poured out by the spirit of the library.
‘The saying that hatred and love are a thin line apart might be true.’
Seeing that it couldn't forget even after so much time passed, that magician was a very important figure to the spirit of the library.
And perhaps, as Senior Venus said, Radel seemed to have found out what the opponent liked.
At least something it was most interested in.
“If I find traces of that magician, will you contract with me?”
The spirit of the library was startled by Radel’s bold proposal.
Although it chattered in excitement, there was a restriction on speaking about the spirit of the library outside.
Knowing that, the spirit of the library laid out its story without worry.
But that guy snapped it up.
“If I fail, I will not come asking for a contract again.”
Radel’s expression was serious.
Contract if successful, invalid if failed.
Anyway, since he put a condition, he kept the format of a bet.
If the spirit of the library agrees here, the bet is established.
Radel watched the spirit's reaction with bated breath.
Will the spirit of the library really take the bait?
“Hmph! By what means will you?”
The spirit of the library snorted at Radel.
It was absurd.
That guy’s intention was obvious.
It was so obvious that rather than feeling wary, it was just laughable.
“You are saying you will find records not even in the Library of the World?”
“Yes. I will try.”
It was dumbfounding, but that guy seemed sincere.
“Well, fine. Try it then.”
However, just because the intention was obvious didn't mean it could just let it slide.
“But since you dared to make a bet with me, you must be prepared for the corresponding price? If you fail, I will take all your knowledge. Kuhehe, you will become very stupid!”
The spirit of the library smiled despicably looking at Radel making a surprised expression.
It would also be fun to make him an idiot if he failed.
He would pay the price for daring to dream of a contract by placing a trivial bet on a Great Spirit.
* * *
“Everyone saw the recipe, right? I will exchange lacking ingredients for weeds.”
Alchemy Professor Cailin Gamenter wrote the recipe on the blackboard and looked back at the students.
This practical final exam assignment was making a potion that makes you smarter.
Simple health recovery potions or magic power recovery potions were now easily done by everyone.
Professor Cailin judged it was time to move on to a trickier potion. Since they were Academy students, it would be trouble if they couldn't make even this much.
“Potion that makes you smarter? Do you become a genius if you drink it?”
“Not to that extent. Doesn't memorization ability increase briefly?”
Students copied the recipe and examined the ingredients.
Some students had already started manufacturing.
“Be careful as this potion has side effects if it fails.”
“What side effects, Professor?”
“You become stupid temporarily.”
At Professor Cailin’s words, students got scared.
Someone asked cautiously.
“How can we know if it failed?”
“You will know if you drink it.”
Unlike other potions where the color changes if successful, it meant there was no change in appearance for this potion.
Students who made the potion had to verify if they succeeded by drinking it themselves as Professor Cailin said.
‘Become stupid?’
Radel was already bracing himself to become stupid anyway.
The fate he would experience if he failed the contract with the spirit of the library.
Radel was measuring ingredients more carefully than anyone else.
“Prince, would you look at this?”
Gusto next to him was also more cautious than usual.
Inette was the same.
“Even if it takes time, I will make it as well as possible.”
Slowly, reactions were appearing from students who drank the potion first.
Radel saw clearly how the side effects appeared.
“What did I write here?”
Not recognizing the notes they wrote themselves, or forgetting the name of the friend sitting next to them.
The worst was Armandy.
“I still do not know what went wrong. I must have succeeded.”
That doesn't seem to be it…….
Radel threw a question to Armandy just in case.
“What is 1 plus 1?”
“To ask such a basic question. Do you take me for a fool?”
Armandy answered very unpleasantly.
“Isn't it 4! Stop treating me like a fool.”
Seeing that, Radel, Inette, and Gusto thought simultaneously.
‘We must succeed unconditionally!’
Especially Radel pledged even more strongly.
He couldn't become a fool like that.
Not only the potion but he also had to succeed in the bet with the spirit.
The potion is temporary, but if he loses the bet, he might have to live like that forever.
Radel succeeded in making the potion with tremendous concentration.
Professor Cailin asked Radel.
“What is 5 times 5?”
“It is 25.”
“Pass. You are 1st place.”
Although he wondered if success could be known with such a question, it seemed one couldn't even do simple calculations if experiencing side effects.
Inette said to Radel with envious eyes.
“1st place again?”
“What is the use, I couldn't even contract with a spirit. I am just a failure risk group.”
Furthermore, if wrong, let alone contracting with a spirit, he might have to live stupidly forever.
Radel sighed and returned to his seat.
“Why is he like that?”
Inette, who didn't know the reason, was just dumbfounded.