I Need the True Ending to Graduate - Chapter 17

【 Ruad Rochef 】

Unlike before, when I had to rely on the navigation system provided by the game because I was unfamiliar with the area, this time I walked without a map like a true local who actually lived here.

It was thanks to wandering around every corner of the Academy during the vacation to gather whatever scraps of information I could.

From what I had learned, during the semester the library was open until night regardless of whether it was a weekday or weekend.

That meant I wouldn’t have to face the disappointment of finding the doors closed and returning with nothing.

‘In order to complete the quest, I need to study inside, but I wonder if there will be seats available.’

Normally, libraries were crowded only during exam periods, but this was an Academy attended by nobles. The atmosphere might be different from what I expected.

‘If it really doesn’t work out, I’ll just quickly borrow the books I need and do the quest next time.’

Before I knew it, my steps had brought me to the library.

Though I hadn’t gone inside before, I had seen the building many times from the outside, so it felt somewhat familiar. Still, its grandeur never failed to astonish me each time I looked at it.

It was probably the largest library I had ever seen in my life.

Thinking that, I felt a slight hesitation about entering, but unlike at the bank, I wouldn’t be humiliated here, nor did I need to beg or flatter anyone.

All I had to do was follow the list I had prepared, find the books, and study diligently.

The building being excessively large and unfamiliar due to my lack of experience using it were minor inconveniences, but compared to the ordeals I had faced so far, those problems were trivial.

My mind eased and courage welled up.

I quietly followed behind someone who looked like they were heading into the library, slipping inside as if I were a regular visitor.

“Wow…”

The moment I stepped inside, I was greeted by the smell of old paper and ink, along with the warmth of heating.

But what truly captured my gaze was the spacious interior that gave a sense of openness, and the shelves crammed full of books. Despite the vastness of the space, it gave off a kind of pressure.

I forgot to act like someone used to frequenting the library without emotion and instead slowly looked around in awe.

No matter how large a library was, the number of books that could actually fit on shelves had its limits. Even though books weren’t that large, they were physical objects, and more books inevitably meant more space taken up.

So usually, only a portion of the collection was displayed, but here, it seemed that nearly all of the books were out on the shelves.

There were even newspapers of various kinds, and the magazine corner was filled with different magazines, neatly arranged with the latest issues.

Large reading stands were provided to make it easier to open and read newspapers, and a few people stood there browsing through them.

‘Coming to the library on the first morning of the semester just to read newspapers… they’re not ordinary students.’

Leaning on the railing, I looked down at their round heads before moving along.

The library had a total of four floors, and the classification system for the books didn’t seem all that different from what I was used to.

Moreover, contrary to my initial concern, the study areas prepared for students were very spacious and comfortable.

There were hardly any people, and at the large, wide desks that could seat twelve, only about two were occupied.

It seemed I would be able to read research texts and study quite comfortably.

Taking out the list from my bag, I looked for the necessary books.

A few were checked out by others and unavailable, but the rest were mostly in place.

With an armful of books, I found a suitable spot and sat down. Like the others in the library, I blended naturally into the calm atmosphere and began slowly turning the pages.

How much time had passed?

Just as I was beginning to gradually understand some of the material on dimensional transfer magic, I sensed the footsteps of a stranger approaching me.

It wasn’t my private space, and people passing by was nothing unusual.

But when those footsteps came endlessly closer and someone sat down right in the empty seat beside me, I couldn’t help but notice.

‘Why sit next to me…? Not even leaving one seat in between. There are plenty of open spots.’

I raised my head from the book.

The desk I sat at had twelve chairs, enough for twelve people.

Yet across from me, there were only two students sitting.

“……?”

Just as questions and discomfort began to swell in my chest, someone suddenly tapped my shoulder with their fingers.

“……!”

I flinched, swallowing my breath instead of screaming, and turned my head.

At that moment, I saw the face of the one who had ignored the ten empty seats and chosen to sit right beside me.

A handsome man with dazzling blond hair and red eyes smiled slyly like a fox and whispered a greeting.

“Hello, Lucy.”

For a brief moment, my eyes brightened from the gloom of reading letters, but then a glowing status window appeared before me.

[Capture Target 1: Ruad Rochef.]

[Affection meter for Ruad Rochef is now unlocked.]

[Ruad Rochef: Affection 0%]

I had thought I would meet him someday, but I never expected to encounter the last remaining capture target not anywhere else, but here in the library where I came to study.

Behind the pounding of my startled heart, the first impression that came to mind was simple.

‘Ah… He is good-looking, but a little uncomfortable…’

He suddenly plopped down next to me, tapped my shoulder out of nowhere, and even struck up a conversation in the library where silence should be kept.

Regardless of his looks, it made me feel somewhat uneasy.

‘Seeing how he calls me Lucy, he must be close with Lucia…’

On top of that, when I glanced down, I saw that he was wearing the same uniform as me.

I guessed he must be one of Lucia’s Academy friends.

Since the game’s name was Thump Thump Magic Academy, it was only natural that at least one of the capture targets would be a fellow student, so this was not all that surprising.

‘Even so, how should I put it…’

It seemed difficult for me to treat Ruad Rochef like a friend.

His excessively outstanding looks were one of the many reasons I felt uncomfortable.

Overall, his vibe was closer to Jeran Ennessy than Evan Bell, but if Jeran Ennessy’s kindness came from intelligence and a genuinely good nature, Ruad Rochef gave off a sly and insincere air.

It felt as though he was not inherently kind, but merely pretending, giving off an artificial, theatrical impression.

That was unsettling, and while Lucia might have been familiar with Ruad Rochef, I, who was only borrowing her shell, was meeting him for the very first time.

To treat a man I was meeting for the first time, who also left me with a strangely uncomfortable first impression, as if we were close, was far too difficult for me.

Especially in the library, where all was quiet.

Whether he knew how I felt or not, Ruad Rochef shamelessly struck up a conversation.

“Did you spend your vacation well? I think you said you were staying at the Academy during break.”

“…Sorry, but talking with you right now feels a bit uncomfortable.”

“Is it me that makes you uncomfortable? Or the place?”

Honestly, I wanted to say both, but since Ruad Rochef was a capture target, he was someone I had to win over.

There was no need to antagonize him unnecessarily. In fact, it would be easier later if I earned his favor now.

‘I don’t know what his tastes are, though.’

With a face that suited the title “Emperor of the Bed,” I thought he might act exactly as his looks suggested. With that in mind, I lowered my voice and answered.

“This is the library. Talking like this here disturbs others…”

“It’s fine. Talking this much is nothing. It’s not even loud, and others are whispering too.”

“……”

“Besides, there’s no one who would dare scold me. So don’t worry too much about others, Lucy.”

Of course, it was impossible not to worry, but Ruad Rochef was so firm that he clearly would not listen to me.

In the end, I gave up on persuading him and decided to respond.

With a smiling face, Ruad Rochef asked again, still in a lowered voice.

“So, what did you do while staying at the Academy over vacation?”

“I just… stayed in the dormitory.”

After some thought, I chose the safest answer out of everything I had done during break.

But Ruad Rochef waited for me to elaborate further, his eyes shining brightly, which didn’t match their red color.

“And… and… At one point, I caught a cold and had to lie down for a while.”

“You caught a cold?”

“It wasn’t that serious. Just a simple cold, and I got better quickly. I’m healthy now.”

“The doctor?”

“I was examined by a doctor. I took medicine too.”

“Well done. You tend to neglect your health.”

In Ruad Rochef’s gaze rested genuine concern.

“……”

Seeing that expression, I somehow felt guilty for having regarded him with suspicion.