Anything But Study - Chapter 4

***

The work of a library assistant was relatively easy.

This was because not many students came to borrow books in the first place. At this academy, attended mostly by wealthy nobles, if they needed a book, they simply sent their servants to purchase it right away.

The number of students who borrowed books in a day, including both morning and evening, barely reached four or five.

And even among those, it was almost always the same regulars. Aside from the familiar faces, Melia hadn’t seen anyone new come to borrow a book recently.

‘Everyone who was going to borrow books today has already come.’

The time was 8:40. It was unlikely anyone else would visit before Melia finished organizing.

In the evenings, there were occasionally students who came for assignments, but in the mornings, aside from those borrowing books, there were hardly any visitors.

‘Plenty of time.’

So Melia began reviewing the assignment she had to submit for class that day.

While she was absorbed in it—

Thud—

A book was placed on the librarian’s desk where Melia was sitting.

‘…Huh?’

Who?

That was the first thought that crossed her mind.

‘There shouldn’t be anyone coming now.’

From her seat, what entered Melia’s view first was the body of a man. A fairly solid build at that.

When Melia lifted her head to check the face of this new visitor—

“Ah…!”

She unintentionally let out an exclamation.

Those eyes from earlier.

Even from a brief encounter, they had remained imprinted in her mind like an afterimage, eyes as black as obsidian.

Why is he here?

Melia looked at Hailon with a bewildered expression. In that moment when her gaze was caught, no other thought came to mind.

“I’d like to borrow this.”

Oh.

She had forgotten her work. Embarrassment swept across Melia’s face.

To stare so fixedly was already rude enough, and to just leave him standing there blankly…

Finally snapping back to herself, Melia quickly nodded.

“Y-Yes. Just a moment.”

Worried that he might think she was strange.

She hurriedly checked the book he had handed over.

‘Oh, an archaeology book.’

Melia felt a sudden sense of warmth. Archaeology was her favorite subject.

If he was borrowing such a book, did that mean he too was interested in archaeology?

As she was writing the book title and his name into the borrowing list—

“You know my name?”

He had never told her. His voice came from above her head.

Flinch.

Melia’s hand, which had almost finished writing the entry, froze.

Now that she thought about it, she had filled in his name without even asking.

He wouldn’t have known who she was.

What if he found it unpleasant?

Anxiety that she might have offended Alfred himself wrapped tightly around Melia’s whole body.

“Th-that’s…”

“But I know you too, who you are.”

Huh? What did he just say…

The excuse Melia had been about to stammer out no longer came.

“You’re the top student, aren’t you?”

Melia was truly shocked.

“Your name is… Melia?”

She had never imagined Hailon Alfred would know of her existence.

“Yeah, that’s right.”

She gave a short confirmation. Thankfully, there was no sign of displeasure on his face.

Melia handed the book back to him and began to explain the rules.

“The borrowing period is two weeks, and…”

“By the way, haven’t we met somewhere before?”

“What?”

The question that followed was so unexpected.

Met somewhere before?

Her and Hailon Alfred?

That was impossible.

“Not at the academy, but long ago, perhaps.”

If not even within the academy, then it was surely impossible.

Before entering, Melia’s life had been confined to the orphanage.

She slowly shook her head. “I don’t think so. At least, not that I remember…”

“Are you sure?”

But Hailon asked again.

For Melia, it was a question that made no sense.

Of course she was sure.

Unless Hailon had ever visited the orphanage where she had lived.

But that was impossible. He and Melia lived in entirely different worlds.

This man and an orphanage? Could there be a more ill-matched pairing of words?

There was no way any point of connection could exist between him and her.

From the start, this very situation made Melia uncomfortable.

Other students did whatever they could to gain even a little favor from Hailon. But Melia was the opposite.

Compared to him, she was too much a small, ordinary person. It felt as burdensome as swallowing food she could never digest.

“Mm… Th-then, just make sure to return the book within two weeks.”

So she hurried to end the conversation.

“…Alright. I’ll be going then.”

In that moment, Melia caught a faint trace of disappointment flicker across his face. At the same time, she also felt a sense of relief.

Why?

The question lingered in her mind.

There was no reason for him to show such a reaction. Could it really mean they had met before?

‘No, impossible.’

Melia concluded as she watched his retreating figure leave the library.

He must have simply been mistaken.

Carrying a faint sense of unease, Melia finished tidying up the library and then headed to her morning class.

Her first class today was archaeology.

Naturally, the book Hailon Alfred had borrowed earlier came to mind.

‘It was a book about ancient relics.’

Working in the library, Melia had gone through nearly all the archaeology section herself.

So she knew. That it wasn’t a book people usually borrowed.

Why had he chosen that book, of all things?

Curiosity rose within her, but it quickly faded the moment she stepped into the classroom.

She had no way of expecting that the book would be tied to any secret.

***

“Alright, that’s all for today’s class. I also have an announcement.”

Ten minutes before the archaeology lecture was due to end, the professor unexpectedly wrapped things up early.

Because he was usually the type to use the entire class time, the students were overjoyed at the sudden early dismissal.

But only for a moment.

“All third-years know about the camp held at the start of the term, don’t you?”

“What? A camp?”

“Ugh, isn’t that tough?”

“Wow, so it really is mandatory.”

As soon as the professor’s words fell, complaints burst from the students.

They all knew well what the Erpen camp meant.

One of the academy’s long-standing traditions, a required event created with the idea that nobles should at least once experience hardship.

But of course, no student would ever take that intent seriously.

Nobles who had only ever slept on luxurious bedding could hardly be expected to want to sleep on makeshift cots inside tents.

“What do I do, I can’t sleep anywhere but my own bed.”

“Can I bring my goose feather blanket? Sigh, we can’t even take maids along, can we?”

Faces twisted with dismay, everyone grumbled.

Yet among the sulking students, Melia alone wore a bright expression.

‘Then this year’s camp subject must be…!’

Each year, the Erpen camp chose a theme subject.

‘This year, it must be archaeology.’

Melia was filled with anticipation. She was certain the subject for this year’s camp was archaeology.

To be able to delve into her favorite subject intensively at camp…

Melia’s lips curled into a smile.

But it seemed she was the only one pleased, as the classroom continued to buzz with complaints.

“Quiet, everyone. This year’s camp theme will be archaeology, so take note. The departure date is next Wednesday.”

Groans rose again in unison.

But the professor continued the announcement without the slightest concern.

“The camp will last for three days. There will also be a preliminary assignment, so take note. Anyone who doesn’t participate will automatically receive the lowest grade this term.”

Archaeology was a required course for graduation.

And because it was the subject students struggled with most, few managed to earn high marks.

To receive the lowest grade in archaeology was practically a guarantee of failure.

Which meant graduation would be impossible.

As that realization sank in, the students’ complaints quickly died down.

Only then did the professor, satisfied, continue speaking, now about the preliminary assignment.

“At this camp, we’ll be focusing on relics. So the assignment will also be related to relics. Be sure to prepare and submit it properly.”

Relics?

At the word, Melia’s eyes widened in surprise.

‘That’s the same as earlier…’

It was directly connected to the book Hailon Alfred had borrowed that morning.