Chapter Forty: Strange Boy

"Oh, it seems like the crown prince ranked first during the test again…"

"What do you expect? He's that kind of gifted genius after all."

"Ah… but isn't he two years younger than us? It does hurt the heart when you see someone achieving things you cannot, especially if they are younger than you, no…?"

"Stupid. He's the crown prince. If he's incapable of doing something as simple as this, how will he lead the kingdom when he ascends the throne? Stop comparing yourself to him."

"... I suppose you are right.

Such topics were popular amongst the chattering students. Since this semester's pre-examination has ended, most students have become more relaxed and, thus, cared more about the latest gossip.

"The crown prince ranking first among his batch is no new news. But did you see the first year's ranking? The first place was a hundred points ahead of the second place!"

"First year's rank one? Let's see, uh, Kai… Zein?"

"My friend from the history course told me that the Zeins have been dukes since the earlier generations of our kingdom. And apparently, this Kai Zein is a legitimate Duke of Zein despite his young age! He's the only one from his family!"

"Duke of Zein? I've never heard of that title before."

"The Zeins have lived in the northwest region of the kingdom for generations, apparently. Even the neighboring villages barely know of their existence.

"Northwest region…? Isn't that place…"

"Yes, yes, the border between the empire and our kingdom. Well, honestly, everything that I told you, I just heard from my friends. I'm not too sure of the details either, but this young duke sure is interesting. The last time this happened was… No, wait, the crown prince always does this ah!"

The two conversing classmates couldn't help but sigh, shake their heads, and feel jealousy in their hearts. But at the same time, they also felt a sense of admiration.

"Those two sure are out of this world…"

"Indeed, ordinary nobles like us just can't compare."

The voices passing by the academy's library slowly died down and silence returned to that peaceful reading space. With four books stacked in front of him, the pair of purple eyes finally raised their gaze from the string of words that explicitly explained magic laws and theories of worldly physics. Those cold, indifferent eyes shot a look at the young man standing between two 15-foot bookshelves in the fictional books section of the library.

In the young man's arms was a book with a very colorful cover. It was also as thick as one grown man's fist. But this fellow didn't seem to consider this as long enough yet and still chose to scan around the shelf with even more plenty of colorful-looking books with a thoughtful expression.

Who knows why, but staring at the handsome-looking young man's satisfied smile as he walked away with three thick and colorful books, Helix felt a bit irritated.

'A fictional section in this library… who even came up with that?'

The next day, Helix was reading historical books regarding both Linux Empire and Rukasius Kingdom, when suddenly, the same young man appeared. This calm but enthusiastic young man returned all three books with a satisfied smile, and yet again, he took yet another three books with him.

Helix couldn't help but think with doubt, 'He finished those three books in a single day?'

Despite his still, indifferent gaze, Helis still felt explicitly intrigued but at the same time, annoyed by this strange and unfamiliar young man.

This went on for a week, with the young man borrowing three books at a time and returning it a day after doing so. So, in a single week, he finished twenty-one books? With an outstanding length each? Even Helix was a bit surprised. If this young man indeed finished and was able to comprehend those books, despite being fictional in genre then this young man might be quite a reader without an actual life.

Helix silently sneered in his heart as he finally decided to ignore this unusual young man. He'd rather dedicate his time to reading magic books rather than spend it observing another. Wall that's what he thought.

The next day, the young man arrived yet again. As usual, he first returned the books he borrowed from yesterday. Helix minded his own business, but when, from the corner of his eyes, he saw how this young man simply passed by the fictional section without even taking a single glance over there. Instead of his usual spot, the young man went to the history section and left with two books. Then he went to the politics section with four new books. Lastly, he went to the magic history section and left with an additional four books. And now he's heading to the assigned student librarian to borrow these ten books in his arms. 

… This boy is truly strange. But at the same time, as much as Helix hated to admit it, he was intrigued.

'Who is this student?' he could not help but ask this in his heart.

He didn't know he was staring (glaring, even) so intently at the young man. Perhaps, the other had noticed it and turned around as the student librarian checked the books he was going to borrow. He didn't even look around. His gaze fell almost immediately on Helix, both meeting with their eyes for the very first time ever since he started visiting the library.

Green, jade-like eyes looking into Helix's own, causing him to freeze slightly for a moment, unable to bring himself to look away. There was a strange pull Helix felt after another second passed as the two continued to look at each other. 

Look away? I know I should. But…

Slowly, the young man smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling slightly. 

Finally, Helix snapped out of his daze with a flinch. He immediately lowered his gaze back to his book with furrowed eyebrows and a frown of discomfort on his face. He didn't dare look back, in fear of being caught staring again. In the first place, he didn't even know he was staring…! Alright, he may have been staring, but who gave the other the right to stare back that long? Normally, when other people meet his gaze, they would immediately look away and even apologize!

But this young man, he smiled…!

Just from the books he borrowed the previous days, Helix already knew that this boy was strange. But now, he was even more sure about it.

Again, Helix repeated in his head, 'Just who is that student?'