MTLNOVEL Ch. 9
Chapter 09
How to get into Lemaos Library.
‘Tricky.’
If it was just visiting a library, it wouldn’t be a big deal. But Lemaos Library was now someone’s home.
Who’d let a stranger knock and say, “Hi, can I look around your house?”
A kind person might let me read books, but…
‘Luca doesn’t seem like an easy guy.’
His personality aside, in faction-riddled Lemaos, no one’s dumb enough to open their weakness-filled home to a stranger.
“My lady! This is a sleep incense capsule made with alchemy! It’s made from pollen, so it’s harmless if inhaled accidentally. It’ll be great for practical classes. Uh, how much is this?”
“1,000 Aurum~”
“Eek! Expensive!”
Apple, browsing the magic shop, recoiled.
“Magic items are definitely pricier than others…”
“True.”
“My lady, what’re you thinking?”
I pocketed Angel’s search paper and smiled.
“Just thinking about what to do.”
How to get into Lemaos Library.
✦ ✦ ✦
[But I think we can retake the library this time. Our boss trained us hard, beating us to dust.]
I recalled what the pickpocket, Chelisky, said earlier.
It seemed the Kelnor gang was planning to attack Luca Drümuel’s library soon.
To scout the area and learn about Luca, I staked out near Lemaos Library for days.
“…My lady. Are you planning to hit Lemaos Library??”
“Shh.”
Just a field survey.
I covered Apple’s mouth with my palm.
“Luca Drümuel! You’ve lived there long enough, so come out!”
Clang, clang, clang!
Someone banged an iron club against the fence.
The time had come. Days of waiting and staking out paid off.
‘Kelnor gang?’
Spiked bats, disassembled kitchen scissors, cleavers.
A group with various weapons surrounded the library. Among them was a familiar face.
Senior pickpocket Chelisky stood timidly, holding the pocketknife he’d used on me.
“Luca Drümuel! Come out before we break the door!”
The largest man in the group bellowed. Tall and muscular, he looked incredibly strong.
Dark skin, jet-black hair, orange eyes. Scratched eyebrows peeking through his bangs were striking.
As the presumed Kelnor gang leader shouted outside, Luca poked his head out from the library.
“You don’t have money to fix it, so why keep trying to break stuff?”
Clang! Clang! Clang!
“Come out!!”
Luca shuffled out the door.
“…”
“…”
“What’s with that getup?”
“What.”
A lace-trimmed dress hem fluttered at Luca’s shins. A cute heart-shaped cat adorned his light pink pajamas.
He wore regular sleep pants underneath, so no skin showed.
“It’s been cold lately.”
“Then don’t wear a dress.”
“It’s got warming magic. Ugly, but cuuute magic gear.”
“Magic gear? Where’d you get it?”
“Sereb trash bin. Did some ragpicking for once.”
“…”
As the gang made disgusted faces, Luca clasped his hands behind his head, puffing out his chest.
“Don’t put too much meaning on rags, you kids. Warm is enough.”
Hmph.
Hidden behind a tree, I let out a silent gasp of admiration.
Luca Drümuel…
A hardcore pragmatist. At an age obsessed with appearances, he’d willingly wear a ‘heart cat lace dress pajama’ for practicality.
He reeks of thrift. I want to buy him nice pajamas.
“Guys, if you trained hard and still can’t beat this heart cat, that’s truly embarrassing.”
“Yes, boss!”
“Take him down!”
“Yes!!”
At Kelnor’s command, his crew charged at Luca.
Arms crossed, Luca calmly watched them approach, then swiftly moved toward the hesitant Chelisky.
Swish.
As Chelisky swung his pocketknife, Luca leaned back slightly to dodge.
“You rat!”
“Shut up, or I’ll cut your tongue.”
Thud!
Sensing menace, Chelisky clamped his mouth shut just as Luca struck his chin, knocking him down.
Another attacker raised a weapon, but Luca twisted his waist, clenching his fist.
“Your side’s open.”
His arm tensed, veins bulging. Wind swirled around his spinning fist with the rustle of clothes.
The sound of ribs shattering echoed.
✦ ✦ ✦
The library could house over ten students.
Luca claimed it as soon as he arrived in Lemaos.
Why?
Crunch!
“Argh!”
Because people kept picking fights with him.
Thump, thump, thump.
Adrenaline surged, his heartbeat pounding like a drum.
He tried not to show it, but Luca loved fighting.
All he had left was the combat talent his parents gave him.
He used to stir up trouble for no reason to prove himself, but now he tried to rein in his recklessness.
He’d developed ambitions for life.
So, while he didn’t start fights, he welcomed justified ones with open arms.
“If it’s over already, when will you show off your training?”
Luca sat on the fallen students, asking cockily.
“You…”
Grind.
Teeth clenched.
The shame of his crew being incapacitated by Luca’s bare fists outweighed fear.
Furious, Kelnor charged at Luca without warning.
Whoosh!
He swung a massive spiked bat with ferocious force.
Crack!
“…!”
Without touching the bat, one or two sturdy trees behind Luca cracked in the wind’s direction.
Incredible power.
Luca straightened his slightly bent waist to dodge the fierce bat.
One hit could kill instantly.
“Damn it!! Stop laughing!!”
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Enraged, Kelnor swung faster.
Luca was grinning, teeth bared in a wide, pure smile.
Sensing a shift, Luca drew a weapon from his waist.
“Impressive. One hit, and I’d meet my parents again.”
A mirror shard wrapped in cloth and tape. A sharp, silvery shimmer danced on the fragile-looking blade.
A flicker of hesitation crossed Luca’s eyes as he looked at the mirror sword. Shaking it off, he rushed at Kelnor.
Flash! Flash! Flash!
In an instant.
Luca magically pulled the floating light orbs above his head.
Using the mirror sword, he reflected light in multiple directions, blinding Kelnor.
The orbs moved with the sword’s angle.
“Argh! What’s that!!”
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Powerful attacks kept missing Luca. The reflected light made it impossible to look at him directly.
“You fly! Stop cheating!”
Kelnor’s attacks were heavy but slow. Training made them stronger but slower.
With a heavy weapon, he was a bad match for the agile Luca.
Whoosh!
While dodging easily, Luca landed small hits on Kelnor’s wrist. When he seemed weakened, Luca struck hard.
“Argh!”
The spiked bat rolled across the ground.
As Kelnor was distracted by his dropped weapon, Luca grabbed his head and kneed his face.
Crunch!
As Kelnor staggered, Luca pushed him down and stomped his wrist to prevent him from grabbing the weapon.
“You bastard!”
His wrist swelled, making it hard to hold anything.
“Attend classes diligently and show some progress. Ignoring basics got you here.”
“…”
Kelnor, cursing, grimaced. Luca’s taunting attitude stung his pride.
Then he locked eyes with a subordinate trying to stand.
“What’re you looking at? Eyes down!”
“S-Sorry.”
Clutching his swollen wrist, Kelnor kicked his subordinate’s stomach. The struggling subordinate collapsed again.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
“I told you! Eyes! Down! Do my words! Sound! Fake??”
Only dull thuds broke the silence. Kelnor beat his subordinate to a pulp, glaring at Luca like he’d kill him.
Unable to watch, Luca clicked his tongue.
“Noisy. Fight outside.”
“Oh, sorry. Subordinate training got loud.”
Wiping blood from his throat with a thick hand, Kelnor shoved Luca’s shoulder. Luca didn’t budge.
“Don’t underestimate me too much. If you want to live peacefully.”
Spit!!
Spitting phlegm in front of the library, he tilted his head at his crew.
Time to leave. He limped down the hill.
“…”
Hidden behind a tree, I quietly watched his back.
‘Thoughts sorted.’
Luca’s eyes, watching the stronger Kelnor, held gleeful madness. The look of someone who loved fighting.
I’d been conflicted about visiting the library, but now it was clearer.