Quest of Automata King

Sanctuary of Books

Another class has ended for today. The wooden door at one classroom of the academy is opened, and everyone going out of the room. Some are seem chatting with their friends, while some rubbing thir eyes. Clearly shown their intention to go back to dormitory and sleep.

History class is indeed one of the most boring class ever. The lesson is mainly focuses on memorization, and the instructor did very little to entertain the student. At least that is not the case for Mui. He found the lesson much more ejoyable when he learn about it himself, and from other sources in the library.

In fact, that is where he is going right now, until he feel pat from the back.

 “Hey! The star of the class is going to his sanctuary again, isn’t it?” That was Karas. His classmate, and also partner of the same room. Beside him, is also their fellow roommate, Raul.

“Star of the class? Jeez, what are you talking about?” answer Mui bashfully.

“Doom for them who looking low at themselves,” comment Raul.

“Pardon? Seriously I don’t understand what you guys are pointing at.”

Karas smiled, he places his furry hand toward Mui’s shoulder. “Well, since that time you collapse in the middle of Otto’s lesson, every subjects seems to getting easier. Not to mention the match weeks ago against class A.”

Mui remember that. It was the most thrilling moment in his entire live, when his strategy has worked flawlessly.

He put on a smile and scrathing the back of his head. After that time, his class is starting to be more open with him. They started to greet him at the start of the day, and when they are forming a group to study, Mui didn’t get left out.

“As your roommate, we are glad to see that more people are get used to your presence here, Mui,” said Karas. “Let’s celebrate it once in a while. Next semester, they will finally opened the door to the city.”

“Is that so?” Mui turn his face toward Karas, he remember at one point of the class their teacher said that the practice with required material will started at second semester. Therefore, the students will be allowed to venture to the town, and even accepting adventurer quest to go outside of the region.

Mui wonder what kind of things are available at the town. There is two more weeks for the term to end, and after he passed the test, it will be one step closer to the second year.

“Whoops, apparently this is your stop,” said Raul, waking Mui from his daydream. They are under the board written ‘library room’, with the entrance of two-eared wooden door.

“I’ll see you guys again at the room, I have someone to impress at the back of the building, wish me luck!” said Raul as he left them with a majestic walk.

“Don’t return in a heartbroken state alright!” said Karas, and Raul just answer by waving his hand.

“What about you? Want to come in?” Mui asked his fellow roommate after Raul has left their sight.

“Good idea... But it is deeply regretted that I can’t,” said Karas.

“You have a plan today?”

“Yep, you see, fellow beastmen from the second and third year will hold a meeting about cultural festival this year. All of the beastmen are free to join and give their suggestion of what the festival will be.”

“Cultural... Festival?” asked Mui.

“Wait, don’t tell me that you don’t know about cultural festival!” Hearing Karas reaction only make Mui scratching the back of his head. He grin foolishly, asking for explanation.

“I’ll just tell you later after dinner. Instead, you better get to the library right now, don’t want to keep her waiting isn’t it?” asked Karas. This time, he is the one that showed his smirk to Mui.

Eventually, Karas turned his back and then walk away. Mui didn’t say anything except feel embarassed about ‘her’ that Karas is talking about.

When Mui walk closer to the library door, his chest throb even louder. In the end, Mui decide to ignore that feeling, and proceed into the library.

The light of dusk shining through the room that mainly filled with wooden architecture. Students going left and right with books on their hand. They are all quiet and focused to their readings, following the number one rule of the library: Do not make a noise.

Walking through the cabinet and tables, Mui looked at one certain table where he usually sit. But this time, the situation is a little bit different.

Under the afternoon light that shine into the side of the table. Mui quickly recognize who is the one that sitting at his favourite table. Short white hair, curly eyelashes. When she notices Mui’s existence, her eyes lift upward and showing a blue pupil.

“There you are!” she speak softly. All of her behaviour make Mui smile, his cheek are turning red and crawling toward his ear. Trying to hide that reaction, Mui quickly take a seat across the girl.

“Um... Hello Emmellia,” said Mui, can’t think of anything else. “Umm... Fancy to see you here at the library.”

Emmellia smile and placed her hand to her chin. “Is that so? But I visit this place quite often you know?”

“Oh! Um...” Mui panicked, he never realize this and afraid that he will offend her.

“It’s okay, I know why didn’t know in the first place.”

Mui lift his eyebrow curious. “Really?”

“Yes. That’s why this is your usual place to sit right? Table in the corner of the room, the most quiet and out of reach. Not to mention that the book behind is heavy materials that only third years are going to read,” said Emmellia.

“Wow... I don’t know about those books... But you’re right, this spot is quiet and i’m enjoying myself here,” said Mui. From his bag, Mui take out a book and pencil case.

“Homework?” asked Emmellia.

“Yes, I asked Professor Lupin for more assignment, and he gladly give me task to make the summary of Alliance.”

“Wow, That is one heavy topic.” Emmellia returned to her read, while Mui started to write while reading the history material. Five minutes have passed since they focused to do each other task, when exhaustion started to attack Mui. His eyes are hazy, and he seems can’t focused to his writing and reading.

Unconsciously, his pupil gaze upward, into the direction of the girl that sitting in front of her. There is a mysterious charm that enchant mui whenever he looked at Emmellia.

“Is there, something on my face?” Emmellia, relaized that Mui have been starring at her for some time suddenly speak up. Making Mui surprised and almost yell surprised.

“I’m sorry, i don’t know what is gotten into me,” Mui returned to his task, where Emmellia just smile slightly.

“You have progressed so much since the first time I taught you, you know?” Asked Emmellia that once again, making Mui stopped his activities.

“I-I did?” stutter Mui. He remember about the same thing that his roommate is saying.

“Yes! Everyone can see how hardworker you are. You may missed much on your first week, but you didn’t give up to learn and complete every assignment that you have been tasked on. Even until the situation on Otto’s lesson, you seems never let your study fall behind,” said Emmellia.

“Oh, that time when I collapse... Actually I got some help from the headmaster himself.”

Emmellia showed a questioning look, and Mui explain what happened at the infrimary.

“Oh, so that is explain why the number of homeworks are reduced,” she comment. “Still, that does not mean that you are slacking off on your study. Instead, you progressed better after more time to rest isn’t it?”

Mui lifted both of his shoulder. “I guess?”

Emmellia smiling. “Nevertheless, you should be proud of yourself.” she said finally closing her book. Mui takes a glance toward it, and notice the title. It was the book that he also seen when browsing the library, although he never heard it, the title explained itself.

“’Family Tree and Complete History of Foumoda Family.’” Said Mui, once more, unconsciously.

“Oh this? Doesn’t matter, I’m just learning,” Emmellia act like she is going to return that book to the cabinet, but before she could move any inch, Mui already stopping her with question.

“Do you... wanted to be a Queen Emmellia?” Mui doesn’t know why he asked that. He don’t even know why all of Oliver’s explanation about her, the political situation, and also her engagement with Challender suddenly before his mind.

“...Where is this come form?” asked Emmellia. She wished that Mui back to his bashful self, so she could return that book, and proceed on her way. But her expectation is completely shattered.

“Y-You said that I should be more proud of myself... But what about you? Does your situation... And your future is something that you could pride upon?” said Mui.

There is a silence between them for a moment. But a brief after that Emmellia finally get up on his chair. Mui looked at her from the corner of his eye, feeling sorry that the question must have hit something bad upon her heart.

“...It’s not like I have any other choice,” whisper her, at a very quiet tone. After that, Emmellia quickly took her bag, and walking in fast pace toward the library entrance.

“Emme...” Mui wanted to catch her, but his voice stopped. Half of it because he is embarrased of the sudden question.

“Why did i asked her that?” he ask himself, regret that he can’t control his mouth and action.

Mui returned to his assignment, after half hour finishing his homework, a student that work as librarian administrator calling his name.

“Excuse me. For the first year named Mui-ken Ikhu, a letter has arrived to you using the telepipe.” Said the librarian.

Telepipe is a network of pipe that sending tube of message throughout the academy. Only teacher that could use them, mean that every letter and messages are valid.

“For me?” asked Mui as he went into the administrator table. When the librarian notice that the receiver is the rumoured first Devil student of the academy, she gives the letter with slightly disturbed face.

“Thanks,” said Mui silently. He receive the letter and return to his table to read.