The Youngest Hides a Lot - Chapter 135

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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Chapter 135
“Well, you see? This is actually a secret, but I might be changing jobs next year.”
“Professor, they say no one who brags about quitting actually follows through….”
“Hmm, you know quite a bit, don’t you?”
“I was telling you not to change jobs!”
Yuliope simply chuckled.
“Shall we look at the manuscript then?”
“Yes, yes, yes!”
I grinned widely and flipped through the manuscript carelessly.
I asked questions about the crooked handwriting, ate more of the remaining sandwich and strawberry soda, and watched the clouds drifting across the sky.
The brief lunch hour slipped away.
* * *
The next day.
I woke bright and early that morning and made my way to Professor Yuliope’s office.
I didn’t forget to rush to the Student Cafeteria and request two breakfast boxes. Since the Academy was lenient about student meals, there was no trouble.
I packed delicious chicken sandwiches and desserts and went to see Yuliope’s manuscript.
Yuliope seemed to appreciate my effort, but he didn’t readily grant me access to the Ancient Manuscript Archive.
‘So I didn’t get the key to the Ancient Manuscript Archive after all….’
On my way back.
I trudged down the stairs of the Administrative Building, lost in thought.
‘Liam said that professors always give out library keys if students show interest in their field of study….’
It seemed that was only true for Liam.
‘What do I do? It looks like I’ll have to sneak in again.’
I furrowed my brow seriously as I pondered.
But the library at night was surprisingly well-guarded. Professors on duty came and went, and there were plenty of security guards….
‘The fact that I succeeded in sneaking in on the first day was practically a miracle.’
Ugh. I couldn’t go around using magic recklessly either. And time just kept slipping away.
My brow furrowed even deeper.
“Rubian!”
On the path to the Dormitory, I spotted Sortie in the distance.
“Did you meet with the professor?”
“Yes! I asked about ancient languages. But he seemed really tired.”
“Is being a professor really such a demanding and difficult job?”
“Well, I think Professor Yuliope’s situation might be particularly demanding.”
“I see. I guess career choices really do require careful consideration.”
Just then, Sortie, who had been watching me intently, leaned her face close to mine.
“But Rubian, is something bothering you? You looked really serious when you were coming down the stairs.”
Sortie shook the hand she was holding and asked. I pouted slightly and shared only what I could say.
“Ah. Well…. I want to go to the Library.”
“You can just go now that we have free time!”
A lighter tone returned.
“Well, about that. What I really want to enter is what’s deeper inside….”
“Then just go in!”
“No, it’s a place I can’t enter without permission.”
“…But you can just go in, right?”
“…Titi, I’m getting the feeling that you’ve become a lot less fearful….”
“No, that’s not it.”
Huh? I tilted my head in confusion, and Sortie was looking at me with an expression of utter bewilderment.
“Isn’t there someone in your family?”
“Someone who…?”
“Someone in your family who really likes things like libraries.”
I blinked for a moment.
“If you ask that person for help… wouldn’t you be able to go?”
“….”
“Oh, that’s right! But you were in the middle of hide-and-seek, weren’t you? So that’s what you were worried about!”
My eyelids, which had been moving slowly, suddenly fluttered like a hummingbird’s wings. My lips parted wide.
“That’s it!”
“Huh?”
Why had I only been thinking of avoiding it all this time?
There was a way to get help secretly!
“Sorry, Titi! I’m having lunch with the other kids! I’m going to meet my brother… No, wait. I’m going to the Library!”
See you later!
Sortie waved goodbye with an innocent smile, bouncing cheerfully.
* * *
“….”
“….”
Liam was in the middle of a staring contest.
“…Ah! I lost!”
The Head Librarian blinked her eyes in frustration. She wiped away tears vigorously and let out a deep sigh.
“Again? Liam Zebert.”
She gestured disapprovingly at the space behind Liam.
“I told you not to bring sleeping bags to the Library.”
“This isn’t just a simple sleeping bag—when you unfold it like this, it’s a specially crafted item with a separate space for reading….”
“Yes. I’ll need to add it to the Library’s prohibited items list.”
“My explanation was insufficient. This one is made in dark colors so it can pretend to be a shadow when still, and it also has the function….”
“You know it’s not a functional issue, right?”
The librarian scribbled something frantically on a document she’d been holding, then thrust it forward.
“Look at this!”
1. Bedding of all kinds (including beds)
2. Exclusive tables with magical beast patterns
3. Modular Library
.
.
186. Sleeping Bag with Reading and Concealment Functions – NEW!
187. Everything Needed to Handle Food, Clothing, and Shelter – NEW!
“I’m genuinely curious how much further this list extends.”
The rolled scroll tumbled to the floor with a soft thud, unfurling into an impressive length.
Liam surveyed the sight with an impassive expression. He carefully adjusted his glasses upward.
“But then, how exactly am I supposed to read?”
“There’s also the conventional method of sitting comfortably in a Reading Room chair and reading, you know?”
“…This is troublesome.”
Liam muttered with a look of genuine concern.
“The weather’s growing colder. If I sleep here and my mouth gets crooked, won’t the youngest fairy be sad?”
“Now you believe in fairies too? And I’ve said it countless times—overnight stays are forbidden in the library!”
In the end, the sleeping bag Liam had brought was shoved away somewhere in the Caretaker’s office.
“Phew, anyway, let’s go. I’ll guide you to the Biology Hall.”
The Head Librarian gestured for him to follow.
“Hmm….”
Liam stood for a moment, staring intently at the Head Librarian, then picked up a feedback card placed right beside the information desk.
【 The Librarian is kind, but the rules taste bland. 】
A guide is always welcome.
“Hmm, well, I suppose I am rather kind.”
The Head Librarian cleared her throat and led Liam to the Biology Hall, his primary habitat.
“Ah, there’s a student who came to the Biology Hall early today, so please keep that in mind.”
“A student who came early?”
“Surprising, isn’t it? And they’re even a prospective new student. I do hope they don’t grow up like you, Liam.”
“Hmm.”
“Here, the key to the Biology Hall.”
A golden key dropped into Liam’s hand.
The official library closing time was seven o’clock. But Liam was specially permitted to stay until ten.
Without such an arrangement, he would spend all 365 days eating and sleeping here, so Odeli Principal had granted special permission, which the professors who coveted him supported.
“If you’re going to visit other archives besides the Biology Hall after closing time…. You know the procedure?”
“Yes. I’ll borrow a key from the second drawer of the oak cabinet right next to the table with the magical beast emblem near the window and write down my name.”
“Shhhhh! That’s only permitted for you, Liam, so please don’t make it so obvious!”
The Head Librarian, who had brought her index finger to her lips, soon wore an expression of resignation.
“Well, other students don’t even want to spend that much time in the library anyway.”
The Head Librarian turned at the entrance to the Biology Hall and offered one more reminder.
“Don’t forget to lock the door when you leave. I’m sure you’ll do fine without me saying it…. And I must emphasize again—overnight stays are forbidden! And if the security patrol catches you past ten o’clock, then….”
“Thank you for guiding me.”
Liam adjusted his glasses with a clever expression and vanished into the library.
He navigated the bookshelves with practiced ease, his fingers dancing across the spines.
Gathering dozens of volumes into his arms, he was about to move toward a sunlit corner when he paused.
“Oh, that’s right. I forgot one.”
His steps turned toward the innermost shelf. It was fortunate, at least, that while he might lose his way through corridors, he never lost his way among books.
That was when it happened.
“Huh? I have this book at home.”
At the soft voice, Liam’s footsteps froze.
“Wait… I have that one too at home. And this one as well. Why on earth would they buy duplicates for the library…?”
A cheerful voice murmured from before the shelves—a round, familiar back of a head.
Bright blue eyes turned toward him.
“Don’t you think so, big brother?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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