25.
After quitting his swordsmanship practice, he sought out various wizards, offering them money or weapons in exchange for knowledge.
After countless rejections and being taken advantage of, he realized he had a talent that he had barely tapped into.
It was Laiya’s grandfather, who was currently unwell, that had extended the desperate Kalidupen an opportunity to work as a librarian here.
The person involved in holding him back was Kronos BlackWinter, known for his involvement in assassinations and eliminating political opponents.
It appeared that he had let slip some information about him without getting into the main details.
“So, where are you headed today?”
Kalidupen inquired.
“Ah, I’ll head to the same area as yesterday.”
Laiya had her plans for the day already mapped out.
“Ah, then I won’t need to give you further directions.”
Now functioning as a diligent librarian, Kalidupen kindly handed her a bell, but she couldn’t help but feel uneasy, sensing another side to him.
Her grandfather was a magic swordsman who had a fondness for magic, but there was clearly more to the story.
“I hope you have this bell with you this time.”
“Yes, I will. Don’t worry. Thank you.”
Laiya intended to keep it with her at all times when within the library.
Kalidupen paused, staring at her for a moment, then scratched his cheek.
“Well, this old man has lived quite a long life, but it seems there are many unknown things in the world… Huh? Is something wrong, Princess?”
“No, nevermind. I hope you have a good time today.”
With one final word, the little girl turned away and distanced herself from the librarian.
As she climbed the stairs to the second floor, she turned around to find him back at his seat, organizing his books.
“Now that I think about it, there really aren’t many people here…”
The little daughter of BlackWInter had chosen a time when she thought the library would be empty, but even accounting for that, it seemed utterly deserted.
“Hmm, where was it? Can I just go a little further from here?”
[Positive.]
Fortunately, Laiya was confident she wouldn’t get lost while navigating through the library today.
As she distanced herself from Kalidupen, Ice emerged from between the strands of her hair and guided her as if he had been waiting.
“But why did you hide when Kalidupen was there?”
[Human wizard entity, guardian recognition probability increases.]
“Oh, so you say he might notice you?”
[Positive.]
Ice’s expression usually resembled a blank canvas, but when he looked at the little girl, his mouth would transform into something like a childlike smile as if he were smiling broadly in happiness from her attention alone.
How cute.
“Ah, it’s here. I remember where to go from here on out!”
The titles of some of the books on the bookshelf were familiar; these were the books I had seen yesterday. There was a big hole, like a black abyss, over there, right?
[Confirmation of owner. Open the gate.]
As expected, the bookshelf silently slid aside, creating a hole just like yesterday.
Without hesitation, she jumped into it.
As Laiya walked down the same path as the previous day, a sudden curiosity overtook her, and she asked a question to the miniature snowman.
“Ah, Ice, am I very physically weak? Even if I walk just a little bit, I get tired.”
[We are trying to understand the owner’s intentions.]
“But even though I walked quite a bit from here, it wasn’t difficult.”
[Identification completed. This is a guardian space full of mana, those who are permitted are likely to receive vitality.]
“Aha, it’s because it’s a special space, right?”
[Positive.]
Hmm, I see. I also wondered if my health had improved. It’s a shame if it won’t, but oh well, where is this?
As Laiya walked a bit further inside, she saw the table and bookstand she had noticed yesterday.
As soon as she approached, a ghostly figure gilded forward and materialized.
“Ahhh!!!”
[Huh?]
It was Braham.
The archmage covered his ears.
[Oh my, it’s deafening, you little girl.]
“Oh, hello…”
Laiya quickly covered her mouth and closed her eyes in surprise.
Wow, I’m surprised. Why did he just show up like this?
“I was so surprised and didn’t react in time… I’m sorry, but how did you suddenly pop up?”
[Sorry for frightening you, little girl. Why did you show up so late?]
“Yes? Late?”
It’s late?
As soon as she got back yesterday, Laiya went to bed and came back early in the morning.
But Braham had a very disapproving expression. He seemed to have decided not to act like the old man he first looked like yesterday, but today he looked like his original self from the beginning, with pure white hair floating.
“I came early in the morning.”
[It’s still late. Do you know how many years I’ve been waiting for a disciple? It’s been 40 years. 40 years!]
No, it’s not my fault, right? What is this Archmage talking about now?
“Why are you doing that to me, who was only born 8 years ago?”
[Waiting one night is a long time, you cheeky kid.]
“If… If you’re going to do that, why didn’t you start teaching me yesterday?”
Wouldn’t it have been okay if I stayed a little longer yesterday?
—No! Since Rainante and Kalidupen were already looking for me, the problem might have gotten bigger instead.
[Noisy little girl! I also heard that an old friend of mine is on the verge of death, so I think we need time to reflect on the transience of time.]
[T/N: Transience of time meaning the state that lasts for a short period of time.]
“Ah.”
But the next moment, Laiya silently shut her mouth.
It was because of the face of the Arch wizard, who seemed to be grumbling but became serious for a moment, and caught her eye.
“You said you were friends with my grandfather, right? May… Were you close?”
[What friends?! Bha! He’s like an enemy.]
Enemy…
It was a simple word, but it sounded more affectionate than heavy and disgruntled.
[He didn’t even see me die because at the time, his family was attacked by demons, and he was busy running away.]
“…”
The world in this novel was a world where humans and demons faced each other.
Demons made several large-scale attacks on the human world, and by the time the original protagonist came into play, the worst attacks had already taken place.
Braham looked at the ceiling.
[If I knew it was the last time… I should have said at least one more word like… Be careful of getting sick.]
People sometimes have useless regrets.
I was like that before I died in my past life.
The little girl reached out her hand without realizing it to comfort the wizard, when thought it was a mistake.
Ehh… This guy is a ghost…
The hand that was trying to grab the hem of his clothes passed right through him.
“You can see Grandpa when he wakes up.”
Braham looked at the little girl blankly, then grinned like a young boy.
Though he had the face of a young man with silver hair, his boyish smile matched well without looking awkward.
[What should I do? My students are the only ones who can see me.]
“Yes?”
[Only the chosen ones can, before they die, see me left in this state.]
She blinked.
Wait, that means…
[Yes, from the moment you could see me, you were already qualified to become my disciple and inherit my legacy.]
“No, then why did you say something else yesterday?”
[Does it look like I said something else?]
What kind of archmage changes his words like that?
But when I think about it, what I see is important. I can understand that much, at least.
At first glance, she recognized this was a condition to qualify for hidden power ups as someone who liked fantasy novels.
Also, what about the sister I liked the most in this novel? The one who marries eldest brother… I liked her when I saw her.
“I agree. Don’t you think that dignity is important?”
Laiya crossed her arms and nodded, she didn’t know what she looked like in the eyes of the ghost, but whatever it was, it caused Braham to chuckle.
[Looking at you now, you have some similarities with your grandfather.]
Braham slowly descended down to the floor.
[Okay, since we are already here, shall we start class today?]
“Is this really a class? A real class?”
[Then could there be fake classes?]
Braham waved the staff in his hand as Laiya’s eyes widened.
Suddenly, his translucent body was in front of him with substance.
“W-what is this? Wasn’t your body that of a ghost?”
“…”
[T/N: He takes on inverted commas when speaking as his form changed.]
“It’s a ghost, right? Weren’t you just a ghost?! Until just now?”
Braham, now truly human, shrugged his shoulders.
“How can a ghost teach magic, kid?”
“Uh… Dead… But you’re dead…”
“It’s true that I died, but I know how to take on a form of substance because it is an ability that can only be found in this space.”
Blankly, Laiya’s mouth dropped open in amazement, a slight nod of her head being the only reaction she could muster.
Wow, he’s killing it!!! If I become an archmage, is it possible to do this even after death?
Her eyes opened brightly.
My future’s so bright!!!
“Hmm, what should we do first… Ah, alright, little one, let’s see what your level is.”
Level? What level?
The little girl tilted her head in confusion.
If he was talking about magic, I have nothing that could be called a level in the first place.
Before she could say anything, her body started to float up.
“Uh, huh? Argh!”
“Why are you shaking? I won’t hurt you, you idiot.”
“Of course not, but I was surprised because I was suddenly floating up in the air!”
Maybe it was because she was so surprised, but the tiny snowman that had been floating next to her stood in front of her face frantically.
[Warning, warning. The previous owner should not raise the owner’s heart rate too much!]
“See this guy? Do you side with her now that your owner has changed?”
Strangely enough, after his comment, a chunk of ice fell on Braham’s face.
Unaffected, Braham snorted, and when he waved his hand, it flew away.
“Since the owner changed, your standard has become poor. Heh.”
[Denied. The owner is currently a young individual.]
“Taking sides… You’re taking sides!”
“What do you mean? What does that mean for Ice?”
Laiya felt a burst of fresh panic.
“That’s literally it. That guy is now your guardian.”
Braham tapped Ice. the miniature snowman.
Ice escaped his hand and bounced towards Laiya, clinging to her cheek.
“His abilities will unlock as you grow. Now it’s just a pump with a closed valve. In case of an emergency, he will go out of his way to protect you.”
Braham gave additional advice, saying it was best not to let the situation deteriorate to that point.
It is said that if the Guardian uses force, the Guardian will wear out, but its lifespan will be shortened.
“In the end, the stronger I become, the stronger Ice becomes.”
“That’s right, kid, and so would you like to take a look at your skills?”
“Well, I told you, I’ve never used magic… Aaaah!”
Her scream left her lips as her body shot through the air.
Through the terror distorting her vision, the grinning face of the Archmage was visible below.
“Life, it’s real life. Baby.”
Ahhh, why are you like this when you’re so handsome! His personality is eccentric. It’s eccentric!
“…”
When she opened my eyes, she was standing in the middle of a brightly shining magic circle.
What is this? Where are we?
“Hold on tight, BlackWinter’s kid, are you ready?”
“Yes? Yes?!”
Bang!
The floor shook.
Laiya closed her eyes tightly and opened them.
[Warning! Need to move!]
She felt like someone was pushing on her shoulder hard, but before she could react, she was pushed back.
A huge fist appeared before her eyes, leaving her stunned.
It’s crazy. What in the world is this!
