Overpowered Archmage Doesn’t Hide His Talent

Chapter 205:

Chapter 205 Is It Really Me Who Has to Do This…?

After it was confirmed that the representatives of the Magic Department would participate in the Hero Tournament, Conette stood for a moment, gazing out the window of the Dean’s office, lost in thought.

Suddenly, memories of the old Magic Department resurfaced.

The outdated facilities, the scorn and oppression they had received as if it were natural from the knights…. In fact, it was so recent that the word ‘old’ hardly seemed appropriate.

Living while accepting those circumstances as natural, why did the future days now seem different?

Knock, knock—

At that moment, someone knocked on the door of the Dean’s office.

The characteristic weak knock made Conette faintly guess that it might be Violet.

“Come in.”

“Professor Violet, what brings you here?”

In fact, it was unusual for Violet to visit the Dean’s office first. After all, why was she nicknamed the witch? It was because she always looked fatigued and seemed to be engrossed in her own research.

“Um, Dean.”

Violet cautiously began to speak.

“Yes.”

“I heard the news that the representatives will be participating in this Hero Tournament. As their supervising professor, I want to do something for them.”

“That’s a very commendable attitude.”

“Thank you. But….”

Violet trailed off.

“I don’t know what to do for them.”

“Don’t know… In what way?”

“I made up my mind to help them academically, but it’s difficult to figure out how to help. I don’t even know what materials would be appropriate.”

Conette nodded as if he understood.

“Ah, I think I understand what you mean.”

“Simply providing next year’s materials…”

“It’s insufficient to face the Holy Knights with just that, and giving them something more extraordinary leaves me unsure of what to provide. Is that what you’re thinking?”

“Yes, Dean. Exactly.”

Conette nodded in agreement with Violet’s acknowledgment.

“That’s a perfectly understandable concern.”

“As a professor, I fundamentally want to support them academically….”

Violet’s voice trailed off.

Why does the Academy have a learning process called the ‘curriculum’? It exists because students grow by stepping up one step at a time.

But Flan could be said to be an exception among exceptions.

No one knew what he was studying or what he was thinking. All those around Flan could do was marvel at the astonishing results he occasionally produced.

“I don’t want to just stand by as they step up so admirably. Everyone has their role to play, and I want to fulfill mine too.”

Conette nodded.

From Violet, he could feel a genuine affection for the students. Not just wanting to share in the representatives’ success, but a passion to fulfill her responsibilities faithfully.

Understanding her feelings, Conette nodded again.

“It’s quite a challenging issue.”

What if Flan had been Conette’s apprentice? He would have been content to teach him one magic spell after another, confident in what he knew best and loved most.

But Flan was not someone to remain as anyone’s apprentice. He was an individual with an independence and unique strength incomparable to others.

Conette rubbed his chin.

“The more I think about it, the more it seems like a significant issue. What can the Academy do for the students? This is truly an important matter.”

“That’s why I’ve been contemplating it too.”

“But Violet, I believe you came to the Dean’s office because you had some ideas of your own.”

Conette and Violet’s eyes met in midair. The Dean’s strange gaze, which seemed to already know everything, glimmered.

“Ah…”

Finally, Violet began to take off her witch-like pointed hat. Placing it in front of her, she took a polite stance and continued to speak.

“Dean, how about showing them some ancient texts? To face the Holy Knights, at least that much is necessary.”

It was not Conette who responded but rather the Secretary. She had been quietly listening to the conversation until now.

“Professor Violet, wouldn’t that be a bit dangerous?”

“Dangerous?”

“The ancient texts contain all sorts of information. They’re at an age where it’s easy to be swayed by something, and if they suddenly come across something undesirable, it could be quite problematic.”

Conette quietly observed their conversation.

He could fully understand the Secretary’s concerns.

Wizards who enter the Academy strive for success, but not all wizards’ lives go smoothly.

Some have experienced unspeakable horrors, some have despaired at the Academy’s threshold, and some have come to hate the world….

Most of them turn to underground organizations. The ancient texts contain such dangerous content, which is why the Secretary was concerned.

The Secretary sighed deeply.

“Professor Violet. I think showing them the ancient texts is too dangerous. Surely, there are other ways we can help.”

“Secretary, that’s an underestimation of the representatives.”

But Violet showed no sign of backing down against the Secretary. The Secretary’s eyebrows twitched.

“Are you saying I am underestimating the representatives?”

“Yes. You’re hesitating to show them the texts because you don’t trust them. What exactly are you worried about?”

“….”

Violet continued earnestly.

“What’s there to worry or doubt about now? We don’t even have the right to doubt them. Frankly, we haven’t really done anything for them.”

“Mm.”

“So, Secretary, let’s at least do something now. Let’s just give them a few ancient texts. Anyone watching might think we’re making a big deal out of something insignificant.”

The Secretary, who had been listening, cleared her throat.

“I wasn’t saying it’s absolutely impossible…. There might be a better way. That’s what I mean.”

The Secretary tried to continue, but her words gradually trailed off. Violet’s resolve was unwavering, and there wasn’t anything fundamentally wrong with what she had said.

Gaining confidence, Violet spoke again.

“Would about five books be appropriate?”

“Five books?”

“I can’t say how much they’ll study, but won’t they achieve results as much as they study? I think five books would be just right….”

The Secretary wiped the sweat from her forehead with a handkerchief.

“Even if we agree to the ancient texts, five books…. There’s not much time left until the Hero Tournament, and I’m worried that such a vast amount of information might confuse them.”

“Have you ever seen Flan confused?”

“…No, I haven’t. That’s true.”

At that moment.

“Enough.”

Conette, who had been watching Violet and the Secretary, quietly raised one hand. With that simple gesture, a calmness settled over the Dean’s office.

The Dean’s lips parted slightly.

“I don’t think this is something to worry too much about. Let’s give the representatives full access to the library.”

“Oh…?”

The Secretary and Violet both tilted their heads simultaneously at Conette’s easy and decisive resolution.

“Having lived quite a bit, I’ve learned that recognizing and trusting someone is also a skill. So, let’s trust them.”

Her strange eyes slowly closed and opened again.

“Shall we trust them? This time too.”

◈

“The ancient library?”

“Yes, the ancient library.”

With the Hero Tournament approaching, Violet, who had visited me unexpectedly, suggested a visit to the ancient library.

‘The difference between the ancient library and the regular library is significant.’

Books in the regular library are standardized. They aim to make the information contained easily accepted by the reader without resistance.

In contrast, ancient texts are filled with the author’s subjectivity.

They do not care about the reader’s perspective and are full of their views on magic. Encountering various interpretations would be a good opportunity for the representatives.

Violet handed me a small item.

“It’s a token that grants access to the ancient library. I hope it helps… Ah, one more thing.”

She cautiously added.

“If you find any useful content in the ancient library, could you let me know? I want to use it for other students’ studies as well.”

“If I have the time.”

“Thank you.”

We exchanged brief farewells. After Violet left, I immediately made my way to the ancient library.

“Well, this is it.”

Upon arrival, the expected scenery greeted me. It was spacious and clean, but the distinctive smell of old paper lingered in the air.

I wandered through the maze-like ancient library for a while. I examined various books on the shelves, and as expected, there were a variety of contents.

Some were interesting, some felt insightful, and others seemed outdated. It was truly diverse, but…

“Hmm.”

I soon closed the book with an unpleasant expression.

It was due to none other than the annotations by vampires. As expected, their brainwashing had influenced this place as well.

So, what should I do from now on?

The answer was already decided.

◈

Secretary No. 187. The Secretary of the Princess of the Void.

She visited the ancient library at the academy to find me. After looking around, she spoke nonchalantly.

“No matter how much you manage it with magic, you can’t get rid of the smell of old paper. Flan, I really like this smell.”

“Do you?”

“Yes, there’s a library in the Void, right? We even deliberately make it smell like this there.”

She pulled out a book with eyes that seemed immersed in sentiment.

“Is this how a mother feels when she gives birth? Every time I look at a book, I feel delighted. I even remember when each one was distributed.”

“Indeed, your touch has extended to these ancient texts as well.”

“Yes. Flan, do you still not understand my position?”

The Secretary shrugged and looked at me intently.

“Flan, so why did you call me? Have you already made progress in your research on Ancient Runes?”

“Not at all.”

“Not at all? What does that mean, no?”

The Secretary tilted her head.

“That’s an incomprehensible answer. So, did you call me without any particular reason?”

“There is a reason.”

“What is it?”

“I’m going to turn this entire ancient library into a learning space.”

“Then do it. Why?”

I silently looked at her.

To ensure that the representatives can fully immerse themselves in their studies, all the subtly altered contents must be removed.

That’s not all. For the Academy students to use this as educational material, as Violet wanted, even more meticulous revisions must be made.

“Secretary.”

“Why?”

“We will revise the entire contents of these ancient texts.”

“That’s doable too. Why?”

The Secretary answered nonchalantly and looked at the shelves, then quickly turned her head back to me.

“Don’t tell me… you want me to do it?”

When I silently nodded,

“…!”

a look of dismay began to spread across her face.