Chapter Forty-One: Curiosity, Sincerity

In the academy, it was normal for students of different years to attend the same classes. Its sole purpose was for the socialization of different noble heirs attending the academy, honestly.

Typical nobles.

This whole academy was made for the purpose of forming alliances and such between noble families. Education is not its primary focus, this fact was what Helix immediately noticed within one day of attending this school at the age of ten. Knowledge was not their pursuit, after all, even their grades in class can be manipulated with a bit of gold. 

So, it wasn't supposed to be unusual for Helix to see juniors attending the same classes he does, since he also used to do the same during his younger years. But to see the same young man he saw in the library, boldly sitting in front of him and listening attentively to the professor which most students don't even bother listening to, Helix was a bit stunned.

Strangely, he's been seeing this young man for a few days now. 

Helix frowns as he tries to focus on the professor, but the sight of the soft-looking brown hair right in front of him was quite distracting. Honestly, it's not the hair. It's the person before him that is dividing his attention.

He would be lying if he were to say that he was not intrigued and curious about this young man. Ever since that eye contact at the library, Helix's thoughts couldn't help but wonder over him. Every day, whenever he spent his free time in the library, the young man would be there as well, doing the same thing he always does. Borrow books of random genre every day and return them all by the next day before taking yet another pile of books to borrow.

 It was an everyday sight for him at this point whenever he stays in the library. And to think that, seeing the young man inside the same lecture hall would also turn into a common sight now too… 

 Helix sat on his chair, all proper and poised as he wrote notes. He was the ideal image of a hard working student. And so was the young man, who listened attentively to the professor and occasionally murmured things to himself in a quiet voice not to disturb anyone else, as if to note things down verbally instead of writing them.

 Finally, Helix decided that he'll completely ignore this young man. He'll try not to steal a glance at him! Although, that may be a bit difficult, as he is literally seated in front of him… But Helix will do his best, regardless of that fact.

Throughout the whole class, Helix's attention was solely focused upon the old professor. Though, at times, he would be unintentionally glancing at the young man in front of him, due to his inward curiosity. Once the bell that rang throughout the whole academy sounded, Helix gathered his notes and held them in his arms. He wasted no time to leave the lecture hall and headed to the library. It was his usual, daily thing. To head straight to the academy's library right after the class ends for the day.

He situated his neatly stacked notes on the table of his usual spot. He placed a book over the papers so they wouldn't fly away with a gust of wind, since the table was right beside an open window. He left the table for a while to go through the high bookshelves, looking for new books to read. But during his time here in the academy, he has mostly read all of the books in this vast library. Most books have been plucked out from their shelves with his hands.

So he just wandered around the empty library, looking for some books he probably has yet to read. And then, his steps stopped upon passing by the section with the fictional books meant for entertainment. He glanced over the towering bookshelves with colorful book covers tucked within the gaps. During his years here in the academy, he has never considered taking a book from this section, considering them 'trivial' and 'absurd' books to have in an academic library. But as he recalls the young man grabbing books from these shelves, he frowns slightly. But before his thoughts could even develop, his feet had already taken him in between the bookshelves. 

"... Why am I even…" he murmured gloomily as he reached out, touching a book right in front of him. 

And at the same time, another hand also reached out for the same book.

Their fingers barely grazed against each other, but Helix felt that the finger that touched his own was very warm. He froze for a moment, a bit startled even since he felt no presence and heard no footsteps approaching. He then turned his head and looked at the other person. The other was also looking at him while their hands remained together on the book.

Bright, jade-like eyes belonging to a young man shorter than him by at least a few inches, looked up to him. Hair with the color of an acorn, and clothes of a first year student in the academy. In the young man's youthful face, there was a small, faint smile on his lips as he slowly let the book go.

"Sorry, senior. It was you who grabbed it first, so you may take it." His voice was smooth and clear, soothing and quite pleasant to hear. It was not deep, as the boy has probably just entered puberty.

Hearing this voice, Helix snapped out of his shock and then glanced at his hand before letting the book go instantly. "... No, I was not planning on reading it." he said immediately. Seeing that he let it go, the young man then reached out for the book again, "Is that so? Then I'll be taking this then… This author's other works has been interesting to read, so I wanted to read this too." he explained without even being asked about it. Helix glanced at the book cover, reading the book's title; 'Archmage's Unique Servant'...

With that title, is it really interesting to read?

That's what Helix thought the moment he saw the title. But forget that. He moved his gaze from the book to the young man again, feeling a bit awkward and stiff, which was quite unusual of him. As he glanced, he met the young man's eyes again, which looked as if they were smiling.

"Senior, actually, I've noticed you being here everyday. You're the only one here in the library most of the time, so I am quite curious, since you seem to be an avid reader too." the boy suddenly said.

Helix paused for a moment, a small frown on his face as he searched for the right words to answer. Actually, he didn't even know what to say. He wasn't even given a chance to reply before the other added, turning his body to fully face Helix. 

"Senior, since we're both readers and we attend the same classes, I assume that we have the same interests. I'm a junior and don't have a lot of friends yet, but I want to get to know you better." the young man paused as he smiles, closing his eyes as one hand held the book and the other hand reaching forward, his palm on top as he continues with a charming smile, 

"May I know your name?"

Helix stared at the young man's face before glancing down at his outstretched hand. He was so taken aback by this sudden development that he didn't know how and what to answer. Throughout the years he stayed in the academy as a student, he never initiated a conversation with another student, and when they did try to start a conversation with him, he tried to be as cold and distant as he could so that they'll stop, and due to the awkwardness, those students did stop. He had no intentions of befriending any other nobles, as he already knew deep in his heart that all they wanted was power, affiliation, influence and connections with the royal family. 

And the easiest way to do that? Befriending and pleasing the crown prince, the one who will succeed the throne. And it was none other than him, Helix Rukadius.

Since he was young, he has been exposed to various treatments from the nobility. He grew up learning how to read people's behavior and intentions. So he knew when people had ulterior motives at first glance. Now moving his gaze back to the young man's face, whose eyes are now open and looking up at him curiously and sincerely with those bright and clear green eyes. Before he could even process his thoughts, his lips move on its own and he spoke quietly,

"... Helix.