Chapter 82

this is a fictional story by realTensai

Alvis had left the student council room on his own and his head was still overfilled with thoughts. As he gazed into the distance, only a black veil met his gaze, further igniting the gears in his brain.

This is the thing I have to break.

With his goal in mind, his feet moved even quicker. He didn’t know a lot about barrier magic as he never really researched this topic, but this would change now. A soft smile spread across his face as the library came into view.

“Let’s do it.”

As soon as he stepped in, the familiar odor of books welcomed him, easing his mind and making him breathe out. Even in an extreme situation like the survival game, this place was a safe haven, reserved for those who appreciated it.

However, Alvis just shook his head, not wanting to waste his time indulging in bliss. And before trying the impossible of finding the right books within this near-endless collection, he would save his energy and just ask the librarian.

“Excuse me, ma’am,” he began, trying to sound as polite as possible. “I’m looking for books on barriers. Do you have any recommendations?”

The librarian peered over her glasses, her heavy eyelids barely able to lift themselves.

I guess the survival game is also taking a toll on the teachers…

“All gone,” she said, her voice coming out harsh.

“All gone?!”

“Yeah, a girl borrowed all the books on the topic as soon as this shit started here.”

The librarian didn’t mind her language, yet this wasn’t the thing that had Alvis’ jaw dropping. It was the fact that someone else had the same idea as him. No, she was even one step ahead of him, as she already came to the conclusion on the first day.

“Who was it?”

The librarian didn’t answer, but instead pointed her thumb at the reading section of the library.

“She only leaves this place when it’s time to eat or sleep.”

So she is here right now!

“Thanks,” Alvis said as his body already carried him away.

He moved through the library in fast strides, even though he had yet to figure out what he would say to her. But before he could think about it, a familiar person came into his view.

Sitting amongst a pile of books was a girl with an ancient amulet around her neck. Her scarlet eyes were staring into a book, but they somehow still captivated Alvis. It was as if an air of grace surrounded her, making her seem as if she lived in her own world. Still, Alvis took one step forward, his mouth already moving on its own.

“You are Jasmine, right?”

The girl lifted her gaze in one graceful motion, now looking at the one who called her name.

“And you are Alvis, right?”

His eyes widened for a second, his brain wondering how a fourth-year like her knew him. But he refrained from asking, as the answer was semi-obvious. Instead, he focussed on the books around her, catching a glimpse of their titles. And it was just as he thought. They were all about barrier magic.

“Do you mind lending me some of these books?”

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“What do you need them for?” she asked, her intelligent scarlet eyes scanning every movement of his.

“For the same reason you need them,” Alvis said, not backing down.

A subtle smile appeared on her face, yet it vanished instantly. She closed the book she was reading and turned to Alvis.

“It’s no use. I’ve just realized that again.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s as I said. It’s no use. You won’t be able to break the barrier.”

So we really thought the same.

“What makes you think that?”

Jasmine’s scarlet eyes locked onto his, narrowing slightly as her silence stretched. Her fingers traced the edge of her book, the weight of her gaze making him shift uncomfortably. However, after a few seconds of contemplation, she let out a sigh.

“They’ve already tried it.”

“Who are they?”

“Our teachers and they were led by Ms. Brechen, who is a master rank barrier mage. They’ve tried it after the curfew and didn’t tell the students in case it would fail, so it wouldn’t demoralize them any further.”

“Wait, wait, wait, they’ve already tried to break it? Well, now that I think about it, I guess it makes sense that they would at least try. And keeping it a secret also makes sense, in case they would fail. But how do you know about that?”

“I’m not your regular student.”

This was all she said as an answer. Alvis just clicked his tongue, knowing damn well she wouldn’t spit out anything more. So instead of worrying about that, he would get back to the topic.

“So they failed, didn’t they?”

“Yes, Ms. Brechen couldn’t break the barrier. In fact, she couldn’t even analyze it. It was something that far surpassed her abilities, something she had never seen before.”

Alvis felt his throat tighten, the dryness forcing him to swallow hard as the reality of her words sunk in. A master rank barrier mage couldn’t even grasp the foundations of this barrier and here he was thinking he could break it after reading some books about it. He gritted his teeth, trying his best to suppress the shame building up within him.

“Mind hearing my theory?” Jasmine asked, though it wasn’t a question Alvis could possibly deny, and they both knew that, so she just continued. “I also tried analyzing the barrier, but even I failed.”

Does she think she is better than a master rank barrier mage when it comes to barriers?

“This barrier isn’t based on magic. It isn’t based on something we know and that’s why we can’t analyze it. And that’s why no one from the WRO will be able to analyze it.”

“I think the same,” Alvis said, revealing what he had kept hidden since the start. “The barrier is most likely an ability of the Priest’s curse and that’s why it defies the rules of nature and magic.”

Jasmine’s eyes widened as one could see her mind expanding on this idea.

“A curse,” she mumbled. “I guess this also makes sense. But how do you know that he has a curse?”

Her stare intensified, making Alvis immediately realize his slip up.

I forgot it isn’t public knowledge that every priest has a curse.

“It’s just a theory of mine and given the current circumstances, it makes the most sense.”

He just played it off.

“Well, it does make sense. I just didn’t think about it.”

Even Jasmine agreed that it probably had something to do with the Priest’s curse, yet something didn’t quite add up. It was a thought Alvis couldn’t quite get his hands around, as his knowledge on curses and blessings was limited. Still, it was the sole thing that made him question everything.

If the Priest’s barrier is part of his curse, people like Priest Zaini who are immune to curses should be able to pass it.

However, even after one week, this didn’t happen. Even if the WRO didn’t have a person who had the same resistance as Zaini, Alvis’ assassins, especially Adler, would contact him. After defeating the Priest of Insanity, Voyzez Knaxius, the Tekka Temple led by Priest Zaini, and the Devil Hunters led by Alvis, made a deal to assist each other in taking down the Devil Cult. Now a new priest of the Devil Cult appeared, so it was the best time to make use of this connection.

Yet this didn’t happen.

So if even Priest Zaini wasn’t able to pass the barrier, it couldn’t be a curse. With the knowledge he had, this was the logical conclusion. However, he didn’t even know if his knowledge was enough. And if it wasn’t a curse and not magic, what could it possibly be?

Alvis’ hands clenched into fists, his jaw tightening as his thoughts spiraled. He ran a hand through his hair, tugging slightly as if the physical pull could calm the storm in his head.

“I guess my theory was wrong then,” Jasmine mumbled under her breath.

“What is your theory?”

“I thought that if the barrier wasn’t based on magic, it was based on science.”

“Science?!”

It was as if his brain rewired as soon as he heard her say this.

“Yes, science. If even I can’t explain it with my knowledge of magic, then it could only be science. Also, the Priest introduced himself as the Priest of Knowledge and when I think about knowledge, science is one of the first things I associate with it. However, the perhaps most convincing argument was his last name. The Zweistein family is the leading factor when it comes to innovations and science and they even have the best scientist to ever live in their family.”

Alvis couldn’t even speak as the dots in his brain connected.

Everything, everything makes sense.

If it was based on science, it made sense that no mage could analyze it. It made sense that the WRO couldn’t do anything and that Zaini couldn’t enter. After all, the only scientist who could do something about this situation was currently within the barrier, too.

I have to see if this theory is true.

“Thanks, Jasmine.”

He didn’t even wait for her to respond before sprinting off.