The Hero is An Academy Librarian

"I let him go two years ago. I could tell he was really happy during his migrations, and he had found another bird that he made a family with. He was only coming back to see me because I was the one that raised him for so long. So I just let him go."

Hildegard smiled sadly when she heard this.

"You did well, Hildegard. Marsh Falcons are some of the most adventurous birds in the world, and they’re very family-oriented. The fact that he came back to you every year meant that he truly loved you. And as for your dream, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to be a researcher at all. Wanting to see the world and all the wonderful creatures in it is a better aspiration than most people are capable of. And if it is you, I believe you can accomplish it."

Hildegard’s lips split into an embarrassed smile when she heard Rita’s compliment, and Rita smiled. But Rita raised a brow when Hildegard’s happy look suddenly melted away into a sad expression, and Rita asked Hildegard what was wrong. Hildegard ran her hands over her face and let out a tired sigh as she spoke.

"I... I don’t know if my dream is even possible, honestly. I can wish for adventure for the rest of my life, but I’ll always have this label as a Dark Mage stuck to me. I can’t go anywhere without people looking at me like some sort of abomination."

Thonk!

Rita used the book in her hand to hit Hildegard on the head lightly, and Hildegard grabbed her head with a small pout as Rita frowned at her.

"Don’t think like that. Such a defeatist mindset is not fitting for someone as talented as you."

Hildegard lowered her head.

"But..."

"No buts. I understand that there will be prejudice against you for your affinity. The world has not been a kind place for a long time, and it will take a while for people to accept you. But you are more than your magical affinity, Hildegard. You are a brilliant girl with great potential, and even without your Hellfire, you are still one of the most gifted students at this school. If you wish to become a magical beast researcher, then do not let anyone take it away from you. Hold that dream to your heart and move towards it with the conviction to succeed. Even if the whole world turns against you, then you can be assured that you have our support."

Hildegard looked up at Rita’s smiling face with a reverent expression, like Rita was an angel from heaven who had just come to save her when she was at her lowest point! Tears gathered at the edge of Hildegard’s eyes, and Hildegard immediately ducked her head and used her hand to clean them roughly since she didn’t want Rita to see her crying!

Rita patiently waited for Hildegard to get herself back under control, and Hildegard eventually sniffled while cleaning her eyes dry and smiling.

"T-Thank you, ma’am."

"Call me Rita."

"Yes, sorry, Rita."

Rita nodded with a smile, and Hildegard smiled back nervously. For a moment, the two women simply sat quietly and enjoyed the calm breeze flowing through the meadow. The sound of horses playing in the distance filled the peaceful silence, and Hildegard felt her entire body calming down in a way that she didn’t know was possible. At that moment, Hildegard felt her desire to become a researcher growing stronger than ever before, and Hildegard made a resolution in herself that she would eventually travel around the world no matter what! Even if no one believed in her, Hildegard knew she could do it!

After a few more seconds of silence, Rita was about to get back into the lesson for the day, but Hildegard suddenly spoke up.

"H-How about you, Rita..."

Rita hummed.

"What about me?"

"Uhm... do you have a dream that you want to achieve?"

Hildegard spoke up nervously, and Rita smiled at the question before answering it with complete sincerity.

"I’ve already achieved my dreams. Asking for even more would just be my own selfishness."

Hildegard blinked in surprise at the loaded answer, and she asked:

"You mean you always wanted to be a librarian?"

Rita couldn’t help but laugh when she heard this! It was a smooth, calm sound that was so melodious that Hildegard found herself wishing it would go on forever so she could keep listening to it! But Rita eventually came down from her laughter, and she shook her head.

"No, that wasn’t my dream. It is who I am with, not where I am, that matters most to me. I love being a librarian, but if I no longer need to be a librarian tomorrow, then I will simply move on."

Hildegard didn’t even need to think long before she realized exactly what Rita was talking about.

"You mean the librarian? Mr. Percy? Are the two of you... dating?"

Rita smiled at the innocent question.

"Well, I wouldn’t classify our relationship in such a simple way. Percy and I have been through hell together. He has saved my life more times than I can imagine, and I have sworn to be by his side no matter what may come. I exist for him, and he exists for me."

Hildegard was nearly blown away by the intensity in those words! Hildegard might have had a difficult life, but she was still a girl, so she had heard gossip from the other girls in the dorm rooms about the boys that they liked or the dates they had been on, and Hildegard had never in her life heard anyone speak of their boyfriend the way Rita spoke about Percival! This was obviously far deeper than a simple relationship!

Hildegard leaned forward.

"So, you two are like soulmates?"

Rita hummed before she gained a pleased smile.

"Soulmates? That is not very far from the truth, actually. I really like that term. But it’s better to look at it this way. If Percy wakes up tomorrow and tells me that he wishes to go and fight against an Outer god that could kill me in mere seconds. I will make peace with the people in my life, and settle all my personal affairs before immediately following him into the jaws of death. That is how much I love that man."

Hildegard’s eyes widened in sheer disbelief, and she swallowed when she finally caught a glimpse of the full weight of Rita’s love for Percy! Hildegard was someone who had never known any significant kind of love before. For most of her life, Hildegard had been scorned and hated, so she didn’t even understand what a true friendship was like - talk less of such unimaginable love! But Hildegard couldn’t help but wish that she would someday experience something like this. Hildegard hoped she could find someone who would talk about her in the same way Rita spoke about Percy!

Rita finally put the book she had been holding aside, and she got up and dusted her gown before she waved for Hildegard to follow her. Hildegard asked where they were going, and Rita smiled as she spoke.

"Since you can’t focus in class, we might as well go say hello to the unicorns. Come on, I’ll introduce you."

Hildegard’s face lit up in excitement once she heard this, and she immediately left the table behind and slithered after Rita!

....

Up in the main library, Percy was concentrated on a book while the gentle hum of conversation between students played in the background. Percy had finally finished setting up the massive inter-travel rune that he had been working on, and after putting it up around the building last night, Percy was now certain that no one would be able to enter the library using any time-based magical artefacts or abilities!

But although the rune was completed, that didn’t mean Percy needed to stop creating more anti-magic runes. There were a lot of magical concepts that Percy had still not created counter runes for! Reality-altering magic, Entropy magic, Chaos magic, and even probability magic were all complicated concepts that could potentially break through the magic protections if used correctly, and since Percy didn’t have anything to do right now, he decided to work on countering a few of them!

Ka-Cha!

"Mr. Percy!"

A voice echoed from the entrance as someone entered the library, and Percy looked up to see James heading toward him with a skip in his step! Behind James were Percy’s other students, Raya and Harold, and Percy gave them a welcoming smile while closing his journal.

"Hello, Mr. Percy!"

James greeted Percy with an excited smile once he came close, and Percy patted the boy on the head before speaking:

"Hello, kids. I can see you’re in high spirits."

James grinned even wider, and he spoke up while pumping his hand!

"I cast an E-Rank spell today!"

....

A/N: Please Vote with GT!