Youngest 135
by CristaeEpisode 135
“Well, who knows? Honestly, this is a secret, but I might be changing jobs next year.”
“Professor, they say no one who goes around saying they’re quitting ever really does quit…”
“Hm hm, you sure know a lot, don’t you?”
“I’m telling you not to leave, Professor!”
Yuliophe just gave a brief laugh.
“Well then, shall we look at the manuscript?”
“Yes!”
Grinning from ear to ear, I eagerly flipped through the manuscript pages.
I asked about the crooked letters, ate the remaining sandwiches and strawberry soda, watched the clouds drifting through the sky.
A short lunch break passed us by.
The next day.
That morning, before dawn, I woke with a start and hurried to Professor Yuliophe’s office.
I didn’t forget to run to the student cafeteria and order two breakfast boxes for us. The academy was generous with students’ meals, so it was no trouble.
Armed with delicious chicken sandwiches and desserts, I went to look over Yuliophe’s manuscript again.
She seemed pleased with my dedication, yet still wouldn’t grant me easy access to the Rare Book Library.
“As expected, I haven’t gotten the library key…”
On the way back.
While pattering down the administrative building’s stairs, I thought to myself.
“Liam said professors always hand over the library key if you show genuine interest in their field…”
Apparently, that only applied to Liam.
“So what now? Am I really going to have to sneak in again?”
I furrowed my brow in serious deliberation.
But at night the library was surprisingly well guarded. Professors on duty came and went, and there were plenty of security guards…
“Just managing to sneak in that first night was nothing short of a miracle.”
Mmm. I couldn’t overuse magic either. Time kept ticking by.
My frown deepened.
“Rubian!”
On the path back to the dormitory, I saw Sortie in the distance.
“Did you meet the professor?”
“Yeah! I went to ask her about the ancient language. But she looked really tired.”
“Are all professors always overworked and exhausted like that?”
“Hm, maybe Professor Yuliophe’s situation is a bit special.”
“Aha. I guess you really do need to be careful picking a career.”
Then Sortie, gazing at me, suddenly leaned in close.
“But Rubian, are you worried about something? You looked really serious coming down the stairs.”
She wrung her hands together as she asked. I pursed my lips, and shared only what I could.
“Ah, no… I just want to go to the library.”
“It’s free time now, so why not just go?”
Her tone was light and reassuring.
“Well, yes. But the part I want to enter is… deeper inside…”
“Then just go!”
“No, you see, it’s a place you can’t go without permission.”
“…Go anyway?”
“Titi, honestly, I think you’ve lost a lot of your old timidity…”
“That’s not it.”
Hm? Puzzled, I turned my head and saw Sortie looking at me as if I were the strange one.
“Don’t you have someone in your family?”
“In my… what?”
“Someone who absolutely loves libraries or books like that.”
I blinked.
“If you ask that person for help… wouldn’t you be able to go?”
“…”
“Oh, right! But you’re playing hide-and-seek, aren’t you? So that’s why you’ve been worrying!”
My slow-blinking eyelids fluttered lightly, like the wings of a hummingbird. My mouth dropped open.
“You’re right!”
“Hmm?”
Why had I been so focused on hiding?
I could ask for help in secret!
“Sorry, Titi! Go have lunch with the others! I’m going to see my brother… No, I mean, I’m going to the library!”
Go on, then!
Sortie beamed and bounced away, waving me off cheerfully.
“…”
“…”
Liam was having a staring contest.
“Ah! I give up!”
The head librarian blinked rapidly, disgruntled, and wiped her tears away with a heavy sigh.
“Again? Liam Zevert.”
With a disapproving jerk of her chin, she gestured to the area behind Liam.
“I told you not to bring sleeping bags into the library.”
“This isn’t just any sleeping bag—it’s custom-made, and if you unfold it, it provides a separate reading nook—”
“Yes. I’ll put that on the list of banned items.”
“I must not have explained well enough. This one, if you keep still with its dark color, can even camouflage as a shadow—”
“You do realize the problem isn’t with its features, right?”
The librarian scribbled something wild onto the papers tucked under her arm, then thrust the page at him.
“Here, look!”
- All bedding (including beds)
- Personal tables with magical beast designs
- Collapsible bookcases
.
.
- Sleeping bag with reading and hiding features – NEW!
- Any item that lets you essentially live here – NEW!
“I’m honestly curious just how long this list is going to get.”
The scroll unfurled and tumbled to the floor, stretching out across the ground.
Liam looked down the list with a blank expression. Carefully, he pushed up his glasses.
“Well then, how am I supposed to read in comfort?”
“There is always the perfectly comfortable reading room chair, you know.”
“…That’s a problem.”
With alarm, Liam muttered under his breath.
“It’s starting to get cold. If I catch a chill sleeping here, the youngest fairy will be sad.”
“And now you believe in fairies too? I’ll say it again: No sleeping in the library!”
In the end, the sleeping bag Liam had brought was tossed somewhere in the staff office.
“Anyway, let’s go. I’ll escort you to the Biological Sciences section.”
The librarian beckoned him to follow.
“Hm…”
Liam paused, studying the librarian, then picked up a ‘Voice of the Customer’ card beside the information desk.
< The librarian is kind, but the rules aren’t tasty. >
People who guide you are always welcome.
“Mm-hm, well, yes, I am rather kind.”
With a brusque cough, the librarian led Liam to his usual haunt—the “Biological Archives.”
“Oh, and a student arrived at the archives before you today, so be aware.”
“A student arrived early?”
“Surprised? She’s even a prospective first-year. She shouldn’t be following your example, Liam.”
“Hm.”
“Here, the archives key.”
A gold key dropped into Liam’s hand.
The official closing time for the library was 7 p.m., but Liam had special permission to stay until 10.
If not for this arrangement, he’d likely spend all 365 days eating and sleeping here—so Principal Odelli granted special permission, supported by professors who eagerly sought his talents.
“If you want to visit any other sections after closing time… you know what to do?”
“Yes. I’ll borrow the key from the second drawer of the oak cabinet beside the window, next to the table with the magical beast engraving, and sign the log.”
“Shhh! That’s only allowed for you, so don’t go advertising it!”
Placing a finger to her lips, the librarian gave in with a resigned sigh.
“Well, hardly any students want to spend that much time in the library anyway.”
At the archives door, she turned and reminded him once more.
“Don’t forget to lock the door when you leave. I know you will, but… And once again: no sleeping in here! If you get caught past ten by security again, then…”
“Thank you for guiding me.”
With his usual clever expression, Liam pushed up his glasses and slipped into the library.
He navigated the shelves with practiced ease.
He pulled down dozens of books, cradling them in his arms, and was heading for the sunny seats when—
“Ah, wait. I missed one.”
He made his way toward the innermost shelves. Luckily, he could always find a book even when he couldn’t find his way.
Just then.
“Huh? This is the same book we have at home.”
A small voice caught him off guard.
“Hm? That one too… and that as well. Why does the library have all the books I already live with…?”
A cheerful voice murmured from beyond the shelves—a round, familiar back of the head.
Glittering blue eyes turned this way.
“Isn’t that right, brother?”