Chapter 287: Archive In Between

Chapter 287: Archive In Between



It might not seem obvious to some, but this floor was designed to house both the library and the medical facility on purpose.

Students often overestimated themselves and tried to learn more than they could or even should. So the resulting consequence was obvious.

A near-death state that required immediate attention.

And what better attention than a next-door neighbor with every piece of medical equipment imaginable?

"Right, that's smart and all, but it's still weird."

"Yeah, yeah, just shut up; we don't want a professor breathing down our necks."

"Facts."

"Oh, it's you again."

"Sup-"

"Those outside, keep quiet!"

"See! I told you to shut up."

"It's just a student though."

"You're highkey stupid."

"No cap."

"I said quiet!"

"YOU FIRST YEARS! COME HERE!"

A chuckling Emir and Lyra passed by three students who were currently being scolded by a third year.

They exited the main lobby and crossed a reinforced door that scanned them on entry. Just as they stepped into the library, a voice that matched Brain's welcomed them in:

[Welcome to the Archive in Between Professor Emir and his assistant, Ms.... Amanda.] "Thanks, brain."

[My pleasure... Stay for as long or as little as you like, but please enjoy your time spent here.] "That we will."

With their short conversation over, Emir's eyes scanned all that was before him.

This was the place where all the students had kicked off their path to actual strength.

What was better than knowledge?

Instant knowledge.

And here... every 'book' was just that.

Knowledge that would be immediately ingrained in the user's neural network, their mind.

But this all sounded too good to be true, right?

Well, there was a catch, of course.

Besides the limitations, a lot of money was needed-a special type, a currency only used in the Academy.

Academy Union Credits, or AUC for short.

Even after he received his first thousand AUC that came alongside his salary earlier this morning, the prices displayed along the rows and rows of shelves all around him spoke of a sad story.

A story of a broke professor.

'They called it a library, huh...'

Emir concluded his observation with that thought.

The place they entered no longer matched the title of a library, at least not one that he 'remembered.'

Its walls, enveloped in hues of somber gray and muted blue, cast a sense of quiet stillness. The shelves, towering and imposing, stretched upwards towards a ceiling lost in shadow, forming levels upon levels of knowledge waiting to be explored.

[I did... maybe.]

Her hesitant words didn't deter his rising mood, as he followed after her with a calm smile.

They walked by many Link Points until they stopped at one that read:

{Indifference of Monarchs}

[Hm... It sounds familiar.]

Lyra looked back at Emir with a questioning gaze.

[How so?]

[I'm not sure... Anyways can you check it for me?]

She nodded, silently agreeing to ignore his random comment, and sent him the description of

the ability. {Indifference of Monarchs: When the ability is in effect, emotions are erased completely, and

the user becomes no more than a machine that strives for a goal set beforehand by said

user. Path unknown. Not advisable.}

Emir didn't take long to understand where Lyra was coming from, but...

[It won't help much.]

He didn't see it as useful.

It killed off emotions, which might have helped him during those corrupting dreams, but it

wasn't something that he needed.

In simple words, the ability was seen as a waste of a spot by him.

[I know...]

And Lyra agreed to his conclusion while adding:

[But we could start with that as a base.]

[Right, so we ask brain?]

[Yep.]

"Sure... Hey brain, come here for a bit."

A blob of green slime heeded his call and materialized between the two of them.

[You asked for me?]

Emir nodded and pointed at the Link Point of the ability that hovered above them.

"I did; I want you to help me with that one."

[Indifference of Monarchs is it?]

"Yeah, is there an ability similar to it? One closely related to the spirit?"

[S-Spirit... Authority... Clearance Level SS... EX is required.]

"Oi, stop spazzing out and say it straight." [Apologies, but I can't help with your request.]

He chuckled while shrugging his shoulders.

"Of course, of course, another roadblock..." [Again, my sincere apologies, Professor Emir.] "Don't worry about it; you can go now, thanks."

Emir shooed off the blob while turning his attention back to Lyra.

[So? What now?]

[We're done here and well... You'll have to teach tomorrow, so go, get preparing!]