Reincarnated into Two Bodies-Chapter 230: A Bit Busy, Huh?

After a quick but silent approach, I managed to reach the stairs. Before taking the first steps, I quickly turned around to make sure no blonde ghost was stalking me. After the coast was clear, I quietly began ascending the stairs.

Thankfully, the stairs here didn’t creak with every step.

When I reached the upper floor, it looked like a whole new world had opened before me. There were rows upon rows of shelves lining the walls, some acting as walls themselves. Unlike the shelves below, many of the shelves here were labelled with a metal plate, text carved into them.

Some of the labels contained banned books, some of the labels read dangerously political, and though I was intrigued by some of them, those were things I wouldn’t even dare touch.

Where do I even begin to look for Talent Symbols?

There was always a chance I wouldn’t find any books about Talent Symbols here; perhaps they were even deeper into the archives, or maybe the opposite was true, and I passed them by on my way here. I couldn’t move far beyond this part of the archives, so I was playing with a limited hand here.

But any section would be better than old family drama novels.

After quickly making sure the prince wasn’t looking my way, he was still lounging like he owned the place, completely absorbed in whatever book he had, I began scanning the visible labels from where I stood.

I kept walking, my eyes quickly moving up and down, reading every tiny label from the opposite ends of the floor, careful to not step too close to the rails, so if he did glance up, he won’t see me, if he cared, at least.

Then, I stopped in my tracks. My eyes locked onto a specific label from a floor above that spoke to me.

Unique Talent Records III.

Okay, maybe it spoke too directly.

The III label probably meant there were two other shelves containing records of the same nature, but I hadn’t seen any other one, so that section was going to be my best chance at the moment.

I carefully peeked over the edge of the walkway, peeping at the prince again. He was still in the same chair, but a book was lying on his face, his hand hanging low; it looked like he was sleeping. I could hear the faint sound of him snoring, but I had doubts he was actually asleep.

At the very least, it meant he won’t be looking for me anytime soon. So, I quickly made my way to the stairs with silent steps.

—

While I was trying my best to be sneaky as Carine, Feyt’s dorm room door was suddenly knocked.

It nearly startled me out of my body. I probably should’ve heard someone approaching, but people walk past this hallway all the time. If I reacted to every pair of footsteps outside, I’d never be able to rest at all.

Then the knocks came again, soft yet firm.

“Feyt? Are you there?”

The voice was gentle, almost like a breeze brushing past the door… and I immediately knew who it was. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

The Saint?!

I shot upright from my bed as Feyt and quickly stopped and stopped in a corner as Carine.

Why is she here?!

Did I forget there’s a class or something?

I quickly made my way over to the door before another set of knocks echoed.

“Coming!”

I pulled the door open, and sure enough, there she was.

The Saint herself.

She was still wearing the academy uniform, neat and clean as always. Even during the weekends she still had work. She greeted me with the same warm smile I remembered well. But the moment her eyes landed on me, her smile faltered, and her eyes widened slightly,

“Feyt?” Her gaze slowly scanned me from my messy bed hair to the darkened room behind me. “You… look like you haven’t left your room at all.”

“Ah, well…”

That’s because I haven’t.

I’m trying to focus on the archive, you know. Couldn’t afford to read and play ball with Ricent at the same time.

“I’ve been a little busy lately,” I said with a laugh, scratching the back of my head. “Just trying to catch up on some reading,” I half lied.

Her eyes softened, but she still looked unconvinced. Then, she straightened slightly.

“Well… in that case,” she said gently, “Feyt, would you like another tour of the academy today?”

“Another tour?”

“Yes.” Her smile returned, bright but calm. “I thought you might enjoy seeing the upper floors of the main building. There are several rooms students rarely get to visit, and even some facilities you might find useful.”

She clasped her hands together lightly.

“And perhaps… if you have the time… we could stop by my office as well…” Her words trailed off, as if she was unsure about her words herself.

I blinked, thinking it through.

Another tour sounded great. I was always curious about the upper floors, and her mention about the facilities intrigued me. Maybe there was even a better training chamber available on the upper floors?

I was always curious about her office too. I knew where it was, that giant spire attached to the main building high above, overlooking the academy. The view from there must be fantastic.

However…

“…I’m really sorry,” I said slowly. “You kind of caught me at a bad time.”

Her smile faltered again. “D-Did I?”

I nodded, feeling a little guilty.

“I’m just… not feeling all that great today.”

“I see…”

Her gaze lowered slightly, and for some reason, my chest tightened. But I couldn’t afford to lose focus now. If I started wandering around the academy today, I wouldn’t be able to keep my focus on reading the archives and watching my back from the prince as well.

She gave a small nod to herself before looking up again.

“Then you should rest,” she said softly. “If you’re unwell, pushing yourself will only make it worse.” Her smile returned. “Would you like me to order warm soup from the cafeteria for you? My treat.”

I immediately shook my head.

“No, no! That’s really not necessary!”

She tilted her head slightly.

“I insist.”

“I mean it!” I said quickly. “You’re probably busy with your work already, and I can’t just make you run errands for me.”

“There’s no trouble at all,” she replied calmly. “If I’m occupied, I can simply ask the staff to deliver it to your room.”

“Seriously, it’s fine!” I laughed awkwardly. “I actually just ate.”

A very awkward silence followed.

“…I see.” She looked deep in thought for a moment, then she gave a small nod. “In that case… at least allow me to ease your discomfort, even if only a little.”

Ah.

I forgot.

She’s a healer.

Wait, can light magic even cure illnesses?

Before I could ask, she gently raised one hand.

“O’ Great Light within.

Envelop this vessel.

Bend to my flow.

And find its err.”

A soft glow formed around her palm. Then the light spilled forward, wrapping around me like warm sunlight. After a moment, the glow slowly faded, and the warmth disappeared with it.

I couldn’t actually say if that made me feel better, but that was probably because I wasn’t sick in the first place.

She lowered her hand slowly, her eyes narrowing just a little as she studied me, almost like she was looking for something, then she nodded once more and smiled.

“That should help for a while.” She stepped back slightly. “Please make sure to rest properly, okay, Feyt?”

“I-I will! Thanks!” I rubbed the back of my neck, still feeling a little embarrassed.

She gave one last gentle smile before turning to leave.

I watched her walk down the hallway for a moment before slowly closing the door. After the door clicked shut, the room suddenly felt a lot quieter… Though not by much, considering my ears.

I stood there for a second, staring at the door handle as Feyt, and the archive’s marble floor as Carine.

Is it really alright?

Turning down a tour from the Saint herself probably wasn’t something most people would do. If the others heard about this, they would totally yell at me for wasting the opportunity, probably the same way I shook Ricent that one time.

But still…

Right now, I needed to focus.

I needed all the time and brainpower I had into researching my Talent Symbols. They might be the key to my Talents, help me grow stronger, or at least provide me with some answers. Also, the thought of the Third Prince suddenly appearing behind me when I wasn’t looking terrified me.

Besides… She was the Saint. Even if we were technically both commoners, she was on a pedestal that the entire academy looked up to.

I probably shouldn’t hang around with her too much…

…said the one dragged around by the First Prince’s Fiancée.

Okay, maybe I should start being more careful about the people I hang around with.

I stared at the door again; the Saint’s footsteps echoed no longer. Hopefully, I could take her up on that offer some other time. But right now, I had knowledge to hunt.