Fantasy Libary 30

Title: Have We Met Before?

“Another Demon Sword?” When Ayato mentioned this, everyone fell silent for a moment, especially Ark, whose face showed clear surprise.

“Do you mean one of the other Four Sacred Demon Swords?” Kirin asked, her tone filled with curiosity.

The Four Sacred Demon Swords is the collective term for four unique Orga Lux, including Ser-Veresta. Besides Ser-Veresta, there are three others that also bear the title of Demon Sword.

Now that Ayato mentioned another Demon Sword, it was natural to assume he was referring to one of the remaining three.

“Why would they suddenly transfer one of the Four Sacred Demon Swords to Seidoukan?” Julis’s voice showed her confusion.

“That... I’m not sure either.” Ayato admitted. “The president just told me it has something to do with Ser-Veresta.”

Ark’s thoughts stirred upon hearing this.

‘Could this be related to my breakthrough in reaching the compatibility threshold with Ser-Veresta?’

Breaking the compatibility threshold was truly unprecedented. The event must have caused a stir in the academy and the Integrated Enterprise Foundation.

In such a scenario, it would make sense for researchers to investigate whether this phenomenon was unique to Ser-Veresta or could occur with other Orga Lux. Sending one of the Four Sacred Demon Swords to Seidoukan for study would be a logical step.

The Four Sacred Demon Swords are not just famous weapons; they all originated from the same laboratory and share a deep connection.

If the compatibility threshold could be broken with Ser-Veresta, it stands to reason that something similar could happen with the others.

Thus, Seidoukan’s decision to arrange the transfer of another sword wasn’t surprising.

Additionally, to study whether the compatibility threshold of this second sword could be broken, the academy would naturally need someone to wield it for testing. This created an opportunity for Ayato to borrow the weapon.

Even if Ayato couldn’t achieve the same breakthrough as Ark, a high compatibility rate would still allow Seidoukan to collect combat data and compare it with Ser-Veresta.

“Well, isn’t this convenient...” Realizing the connection, Ark shifted his gaze to Ayato.

‘So, he loses Ser-Veresta, and a comparable Orga Lux just falls into his lap? Ah, hello protagonist—as invincible as ever.’

On the other hand, Julis, who couldn’t quite process everything, just glared at Ayato and snorted. “If you really become the user of one of the Four Sacred Demon Swords, I want to duel you again.”

Julis couldn’t shake the feeling that this seemingly unreliable transfer student wasn’t as simple as he appeared.

During their last duel, Ayato had looked clumsy and unimpressive, yet there was something odd about the match.

Combined with his status as a Special Scholarship student, Julis suspected Ayato might be hiding his true strength.

After all, anyone accepted as a Special Scholarship student is recognized as an extraordinary talent by the academy.

To recruit the best students, every academy in Asterisk deploys skilled talent scouts to search for gifted individuals worldwide. Those specially recruited are given the title of Special Scholarship students.

This title comes with many benefits, including tuition waivers, living allowances, equipment provisions, and other resources. Among these privileges is the right to freely borrow an Orga Lux.

Ayato’s status as a Special Scholarship student alone proved his capabilities.

If he successfully obtained one of the Four Sacred Demon Swords, he would undoubtedly become a formidable dark horse.

As Julis pondered this, she glanced at another dark horse sitting nearby—Ark, who had recently started making a name for himself.

Even Kirin turned her gaze toward Ayato, her expression serious.

“Senpai does seem mysterious...” Kirin murmured softly.

Ark smirked wryly at Ayato.

“Ahaha...” Suddenly becoming the center of attention, Ayato laughed awkwardly.

“Uh, so... how about we order?” In an awkward attempt to change the subject, Ayato stood up as if calling for a waiter.

Unbeknownst to him, a restaurant patron who had just finished their meal was walking toward him.

Ayato’s sudden movement nearly caused them to collide.

“Watch out!” Julis and Kirin shouted in alarm.

“Oops?” Before their voices fully registered, the person gracefully sidestepped Ayato. Their movements were so swift, fluid, and elegant that they bordered on artistry.

The grace of the girl’s movements left Ayato, Julis, and Kirin momentarily stunned. None of them reacted in time to the fact that, during her evasive maneuver, her beret had accidentally fallen from her head.

However, Ark immediately responded. Without a second thought, he reached out and caught the falling beret.

“S-sorry!” Ayato finally snapped out of it and hurriedly apologized. “I didn’t notice you behind me. I’m really sorry!”

The girl chuckled softly at his words.

Her laughter, like her movements and demeanor, was graceful and soothing, carrying a charm that made people want to drown in it.

“Be more careful next time, okay?” she said with a smile. “Your reflexes aren’t bad, but if you’re not careful, you might accidentally hurt someone.”

“Got it.” Ayato replied, bowing his head deeply, his face full of apology. “Thanks for the reminder.”

“No problem.” The girl waved her hand gently, her small movements radiating a natural aura of elegance.

“Here you go.” Ark said as he stood up to return the beret to her.

That was when he got a clear look at her.

She appeared to be around their age.

Her long chestnut hair, paired with jeans and a loose shirt, gave off a very simple impression. Yet, her figure was delicate and graceful, her body slim and beautiful. Every movement she made exuded elegance and calmness.

Because her head was slightly tilted, her bangs covered most of her face. Ark couldn’t see her face clearly, but from the smoothness of her skin and her nearly perfect jawline, he felt that she was an exceptionally beautiful girl, perhaps even on par with Claudia, the “Ice Queen.”

If Claudia’s beauty was mature and enchanting, this girl’s presence felt more like a cheerful and delicate fairy—light and captivating.

“Thank you.” The girl stepped closer to Ark and reached out to take her beret.

“...Have we met somewhere before?” As he handed over the beret, an inexplicable sense of familiarity arose in Ark’s heart, prompting him to voice the question.

The girl seemed momentarily surprised but then laughed melodiously again.

“Maybe.”

She neither denied nor confirmed it, nor did she take his question as an awkward attempt at flirting. Smiling, she gently patted Ark’s shoulder.

“If we get the chance, I’d like to hear more about your Ser-Veresta.”

“Seidoukan Academy... Ark-san.”

With those parting words, she turned and left, her steps as light as a dancing fairy.

The group exchanged confused glances, none of them knowing what to say.

Ark turned his gaze back to the girl as she exited the restaurant, the sense of familiarity in his heart growing stronger.

“...Who is she?”

He racked his brain, but no answers came to mind.

In the background, the restaurant’s soothing music continued to play.

The singer’s voice—soft and melodious—was as beautiful as the girl herself.