Saving My Favorite in a Doomed World Chapter 115

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠“It’s not this tome, cough.”

 

My whole body aches from doing such labor in my old age.

 

The old man, with long white hair cascading down to the floor, climbed up the ladder. His gaze, full of wrinkles around the eyes, was directed toward the ceiling. 

 

Although they say the amount of books that can be stored in the library is infinite, an equally infinite space was required to accommodate that infinite amount of tomes. Thus, old books, unpopular books, could not help but be pushed to the back. Although the Old Man Dragon had also been here for over a thousand years, this space was older than his existence, so there also existed books he had not read. He meaninglessly referred to old books as ‘tomes,’ and he was currently climbing the ladder in order to find a certain tome. 

 

“Old man! What are you doing right now?” 

 

“What does it look like? I’m looking for a tome!”

 

Riel folded crossed arms and looked up at the old man with a displeased gaze. It was irritating that the old man had deliberately let his long hair—normally concealed with magic—hang all the way to the floor. As if that weren’t enough, that lunatic Elric was off doing some bizarre training, making it infuriating to watch from the sidelines.

 

Riel shouted toward the old man, who was getting further away.

 

“There are plenty of books down here, so why are you suddenly going up to the ceiling! Besides, you’re a dragon, so you can just fly! Can’t you even bring out your wings!” 

 

“Try getting old yourself! That’s more bothersome!” 

 

Haa. Why is that old man acting like that again. Riel too swept his disheveled white hair back and turned around briskly. 

 

‘I also need to investigate that rat, Han Jeyu.’

 

The rat that had snuck into the Library of Dimensions was also that bastard, Han Jeyu. Although he suspected something had gone wrong even then, it wasn’t an issue he could simply overlook now that he even knew the story of ‘hell.’ 

 

To have read the book he belonged to in advance and even know details that weren’t written in it…

 

It was impossible. No, it was out of the question.

 

Riel bit her fingernail. It was a bad habit he had learned from Elric.

 

‘…Did someone tell him. Yes, if not for that method, he wouldn’t have been able to know. No, even if it’s not that method, it could be possible. Similar to Elric, it’s fine if the soul that entered Han Jeyu’s body is an impurity. …But the Origin would be watching, so that would be difficult,’ 

 

Bite.

 

‘…Space-Time Transfer. Space-Time Transfer.’

 

There was definitely another book featuring a protagonist with that ability. And she had read about the side effects for those who possessed it. What if that was the case for Han Jeyu as well? He didn’t seem to be of a sound mind. That was a common trait among those who suffered such side effects.

 

Bite. 

 

‘…Regression.’

 

Did he regress? Han Jeyu? Is that why he knows about the destruction and says the Hell cannot be stopped because he failed as well?

 

Then why is that b*stard….. a villain? 

 

‘But this is ultimately just a possibility. Since there are still other variables to consider before telling Elric right away, I should investigate a bit more.’

 

At the same time, coughing with his stiffened lungs, the Old Man Dragon finally discovered the tome he was looking for. It was such an old book that it was placed in the furthest corner at a height that almost touched the non-existent ceiling. The tome, which was shelved in the ‘Bad Ending’ section, had a title that was hard to decipher, perhaps due to the passage of time.

 

‘Since it’s a tome found through the library’s internal system, it should belong to that fellow.’

 

The search terms the Old Man Dragon had entered to find the tome were the name ‘Elric’ and the title corresponding to him, ‘Archmage.’ Consequently, three locations for the book appeared, and the old man found the book in one of them.

 

With the book tucked under his armpit, the old man slowly climbed down the ladder. Without telling Riel, he returned to his room on the opposite side. 

 

“Ugh, when you get old, even finding a single book is work.” 

 

<…Death.>

 

The old man’s wrinkled hands brushed the dust off the cover, where only the single word ‘Death’ remained clearly visible.

 

As he sat on the sofa in a comfortable posture and opened the first page, a familiar name soon appeared. Judging by the fact it shared the same name as that young mage, it seemed correct.

 

The beginning of the tome went like this. 

 

「 Today was another day of clear weather. Hrmm. He took a deep breath and gazed ahead. He was called a brilliant but terrifying professor at the Academy, and among mages, he was also called the Mad Mage because he received all their jealousy at once—Elric strode through the Academy gates. 」

 

***

 

“Professor, I do not understand that formula.”

 

Tack. The chalk that was filling the blackboard stopped. The slow gaze of the man with short-cut hair turned toward the student who had spoken. With red piercings, short silver hair, and dressed in the formal uniform that only the capital’s nobility could wear, the man’s presence on the podium was remarkable even in a lecture hall filled with hundreds of people.

 

“Which part?” 

 

“I learned that magic power is essentially a power borrowed from nature. However, when you explained this formula, Professor, you used the word ‘taking.’ Magic is based on a perfect understanding of formulas. Are you not instilling the wrong concept in us because you do not properly understand that formula yourself, Professor?”

 

The young mage of the capital, Elric.

 

Although the amount of his magic power was similar to that of ordinary mages, he was an elite bearing the title of Archmage, easily surpassing the training that takes others dozens, hundreds of years, through his outstanding understanding of formulas. No one knew his age or origin, but there was just one thing. If there was something everyone knew, it was his eccentric personality. 

 

‘Is that guy in this class for the first time?’ 

 

‘Hey, he’s saying that nonsense because it’s his first time. What was he thinking, challenging Professor Elric like that?’ 

 

‘…But is that man really that high-level? Honestly, I don’t know much about him either.’ 

 

‘Then watch and judge for yourself. Have some backbone.’

 

The student who asked the question looked around with a bewildered face at his friends’ reactions. It was a quiet lecture hall, but it hadn’t been this chilling. …Is the change in atmosphere because of my question? Right, it’s because I’m so brilliant after all—.

 

“Hmm.”

 

A simple hum overwhelmed the air in the lecture hall. Elric, who had put down the chalk before anyone realized, scanned the attendance list on the podium and stopped his finger at one particular name.

 

“….Nickelion Arthur, is it?” 

 

“Yes, that is correct! Through the excellent education of my Count’s family, I skipped a grade immediately upon entering, and have now joined this class for the first time.”

 

The student snorted proudly. He held his head high, making his high nose rise even higher as if it didn’t know how high the sky was. Elric, looking at the student who had his head tilted back enough to show his nostrils, smiled faintly.

 

“I see. An excellent student has entered my lecture. Mentioning your family first and all.”

 

It was a way of saying he had nothing else to boast about besides his family.

 

“You said you didn’t understand the part about ‘taking’? Then, student, would you like to come to the front for a moment?” 

 

“Pardon? ….Yes, well. Understood.”

 

What was this? Was it a question that required going this far? Elric tapped Nickelion’s back with his finger as he stepped hesitantly in front of the lecture desk. Even though it was a male professor, it felt strange. Perhaps because he was so beautiful.

 

Elric slowly opened his mouth. It felt like one could get drunk on his languid voice. It was so sweet, it felt as though he had downed well-aged wine in a single gulp. 

 

“The location is here. Mages basically operate the circles within their bodies centered around the chest cavity. And you know that the quantity, quality, and type of magic possible to operate vary according to the number and speed of the circles, right?” 

 

“Yes, that is correct.” 

 

“And that mana is operated through the surrounding mana. That too?” 

 

“Yes! I know everything!” 

 

Elric slowly leaned his head forward. Because he whispered right next to his ear, his breathing was felt even more vividly, causing Nickelion to swallow hard.

 

“Student Nickelion. Although the quality of my magic power is high, I was not born with the talent of ‘quantity,’ so it is impossible for me to operate as much magic as the ancient Archmages. Yet I am called an Archmages and am in charge as a professor here. Do you know the reason?”

 

“No, I do—don’t know that much.”

 

Elric smiled brightly once again. Simultaneously with the wavering of his blue eyes that suited his silver hair so well, Nickelion ended up slumping onto the floor. His legs had lost their strength, making it impossible to remain standing. His waist could not hold out either, and his upper body collapsed onto the floor. It was difficult to even flick a finger. As the student simply blinked his eyes at the alien sensation, Elric’s foot warmly trampled down on his waist.

 

“It is because I can take the magic possessed by others through my own unique talent. However, I do not describe this as borrowing. The reason is simple. It is because I did not seek the student’s consent. Similarly, modern mages do not manifest magic in the form of borrowing mana by speaking to spirits.”

 

…Th—that is true.

 

“Even so, describing this as ‘borrowing’ like the ancient mages is a contradiction. We take magic power from nature and use it; we steal and use it. When we return it, we do not even offer a word of thanks. This is even more severe in the case of black mages. ….Well, in any case. Even if you perceive it as ‘borrowing,’ you will be able to use magic. However, Student Nickelion Arthur, who claimed my understanding was wrong while being ignorant of such background.”

 

Strength entered the foot that had been resting lightly, crushing his waist. Although Nickelion coughed and suffered, not a single person protested to Elric to stop. 

 

“Write a thesis on that formula and submit it by next Friday.” 

 

“….A th—thesis? Are you talking about a twenty-page thesis?” 

 

“Thirty pages sounds about right. Since you are someone who has been through your family’s excellent educational environment, you should be able to manage it well enough.” 

 

“Th—that’s a bit much.” 

 

“Now, the explanation is over, so return to your seat, Nickelion. Even a brilliant teaching can become chatter that disturbs the lecture.” 

 

“…B—but.”

 

“Ah, don’t forget to give your greetings on your way back.” 

 

Nickelion eventually clenched his fists and bowed briefly to express his thanks. Though his staggering legs showed no sign of remorse.

 

“….Yes. Thank you for the teaching.”

 

Not long after, as Elric stepped out into the hallway after finishing the lecture, the gazes of those around him pinned onto him. In particular, the jealous looks from the other Academy professors watching him were quite remarkable. They were supposed to be talking behind his back, but since the sound of them whispering amongst themselves was echoing through the hallway, it was too loud to be backbiting and too gloomy to be said to his face.

 

—Is that professor the fellow who became the youngest Archmage after receiving the favor of the royal family?

 

—That is correct. I heard he doesn’t even share with other mages what kind of magic he used to become like that. Good grief, one should share good things, yet he’s the only one like that, tsk tsk.

 

—I heard he even gave himself the name Elric? I heard he was born so lowly that he didn’t even have a name.

 

—I heard he created a strange potion. …Was it called an Elixir?

 

—I heard that potion is a remedy that has existed since ancient times.

 

—…..Well, that may be so, but the effects are said to be incredible. There may be constraints of time or space, but they say that as long as you have that medicine, you can even reattach a severed arm.

 

—Truly, the gods are indifferent. To give such immense talent to a devilish fellow like that.

 

—Lowly and even devilish. It’s embarrassing to even stand on the same podium as him.

 

‘How dull.’

 

His blue eyes, devoid of light, pierced through them with dignity as he passed by.

 

This world is full of nothing but dull things. Those who only envy others and fall into jealousy and spite, those who covet positions despite having no decent talent, those who pretend to know things without even being ashamed of their ignorance. It’s because those pathetic ones lack effort.

 

To even sigh would be a waste of my breath.

 

With an expression mixed with irritation, Elric’s face suddenly broke into a gentle smile. It was because the only decent person in this mediocre world was running toward him. If the students who had been in the lecture hall saw this smile of his, it was at a level where they would mistakenly think, ‘Does he not have more than one personality?’

 

“Brother! Those b*stards are bad-mouthing you again! Those wicked b*stards! I should just kill them all!”

 

……

 

Yes, yes. Even her way of speaking resembles mine and is quite kind—my sister.

 

“Hey, Elric!”

 

And Haim was also walking from far away, waving his hand along with his younger sister.

 

Because of his golden hair that resembled the sun, there was a rumor that he was a hidden son of the royal family, but as soon as the fact that he was from an orphanage was revealed, Haim was a mage who instantly fell to the status of a leftover. Unlike Elric, who had a body like a sheet of paper, Haim, with his broad chest and sturdy build, laughed boisterously and spoke.

 

“I heard you were eating up insults again today! Isn’t your stomach full? You’re going to burst at this rate! Hahaha!”

 

…Isn’t anyone going to expel that guy?