Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 975

The path opened with the suggestion that an interpretation of the strange characters was needed.

A dark passage formed as the massive bookshelves split apart in all directions.

Atop a giant hill of information, made up of piled books and parchments, someone stood with their back turned, silently moving their hand.

“……”

A skeleton wearing tattered rags.

Compared to the other librarians managing the archive, it was shabby and unsightly, with an appearance that seemed as if it would collapse at any moment.

The light seeping out from between the bones was also weak and faint compared to the other librarians.

Its movements were slow and static, to the point where it was uncertain if it even possessed intelligence. Its gestures felt mechanical, devoid of will or passion.

Standing with its back turned, it was writing something on a book with a quill pen in its bony hand.

Scribble, scribble…….

The path opened the moment he thought about borrowing a book.

Then, the one in charge of lending books in this archive must be the librarian.

Lenok carefully moved his steps and stood behind the skeleton, slowly opening his mouth.

“Excuse me.”

[……]

“I would like to borrow a book.”

[……]

“……”

Come to think of it, skeletons don’t have eardrums.

Just as Lenok was wondering if he should write it down and show it instead of speaking, the skeleton turned its head.

The skeleton glanced back at Lenok over its shoulder and spoke in a low voice.

[Skeleton quiz.]

“……What?”

Lenok asked back with a dumbfounded expression at the sudden words that didn’t match the heavy bass voice at all.

[Guess what I am doing.]

However, the skeleton continued to speak without stopping the act of scribbling with the quill pen.

Its blurry light seemed to briefly scan the several grimoires in Lenok’s hand.

[If you get the answer right, I will allow you to borrow the other books you brought as well.]

“……”

The Black God’s Demonic Arts and Hellfire Illusion Palace that Lenok had brought while wandering around the archive.

Was it saying that it would allow him to borrow those two books from the archive as well?

A conversation that was only possible if it knew from the beginning that Lenok was trying to borrow the Celestial Formula.

Lenok, who had thought that far, raised his head and pondered before asking.

“What happens if I don’t get the answer right?”

[You will have to help me organize the books.]

The skeleton replied in a soft bass voice.

[It is the task of classifying and organizing the grimoires and books in the archive. There are so many that I am unintentionally receiving help from others.]

“……Then, are those librarians all…?”

[They are kind people who are enjoying a fun quiz and helping me in person.]

“……”

Were the identities of the skeleton librarians people who were trapped in the archive because they couldn’t borrow books?

He had thought it wasn’t an ordinary subspace, but it was unheard of to impose a penalty on the act of borrowing books.

“I’ve never heard that there is a special price to pay for borrowing grimoires.”

Lenok said, tilting his head.

“Is it normal for everyone to go through a similar process to borrow books?”

[No. It’s because the formula you are trying to borrow is too heavy and requires time to work on.]

The skeleton replied with a voice that seemed to contain a hint of laughter.

[Since I have to stop my original work and help you, wouldn’t it be nice to have a little fun?]

“……”

For some reason, it seemed that some effort was needed to borrow a book.

And this skeleton was saying that if Lenok got the quiz right, it would allow him to borrow the book.

The skeleton’s attitude of suddenly proposing a quiz to Lenok, who was visiting the archive for the first time, was absurd.

What was even stranger was that the skeleton’s hand was moving very naturally between the parchments and books.

An unusual appearance that seemed to never lose focus even while talking to Lenok.

Scratch.

The skeleton, which seemed to have just finished its work, put down the pen and finally turned its body completely towards Lenok and said.

[Now, answer me. What was I doing until just now?]

What was this skeleton hoping for by asking Lenok this question?

It was certain that it was an extraordinary being, but it was not easy to guess its true intentions.

However, if he had to cooperate with it to borrow the Celestial Formula, he would eventually have to get it right at least once.

Above all, Lenok already knew the answer to the quiz.

Lenok, who let out a small sigh, put down the grimoire of the Celestial Formula and said.

“It must have been a translation work to change the grimoire written in the language of the old world into the language of this world.”

[Oh. Why do you think so?]

“I know that this archive has existed for several decades, but it is still classifying and organizing books like that.”

Lenok said, gesturing with his eyes at the skeleton librarians who were busily moving around.

“If it was just organizing newly brought grimoires, there wouldn’t be a need for so many librarians. One possibility to consider is… if the information inside the archive is constantly being updated.”

[……]

“If the contents of the grimoires inside the archive are constantly being updated, I was just thinking that it wouldn’t be a renewal of books, but rather a work of rewriting the already existing information.”

Lenok’s gaze, which was staring at the skeleton, shone sharply.

“Above all, you asked me if I needed an interpretation of the grimoire. Isn’t that because you are in charge of translating the strange characters written in the grimoire?”

[That is correct.]

At that moment, it felt like an incomparably strong force was put into the skeleton’s answer.

[The transmission and propagation of knowledge can never be achieved without the connection of language and characters. Therefore, translation is a very important task in conveying disconnected time.]

“……”

[Understanding the languages of two worlds, examining the cultures and customs of both sides, and translating and transcribing them with appropriate nuances. A complex and profound task that values the original above all else, but can never ignore the translator’s subjectivity and values.]

The skeleton, who smiled contentedly, reached out towards the grimoire of the Celestial Formula.

[Bring the grimoire. I will personally translate this great Celestial Formula for you.]

“Here it is.”

As Lenok handed over the grimoire, the skeleton gently stroked the cover of the grimoire.

[It’s been a while since I’ve touched it… was it this feeling?]

“Does the sense of touch remain even with a hand that is just bones?”

[No……]

The skeleton said with a wistful voice.

[It is the memory of the remaining soul that I feel.]

“Memory of the soul?”

The skeleton did not answer Lenok’s question any further.

It just picked up the quill pen again, opened the grimoire of the Celestial Formula, and began to write down new letters.

Scratch, scratch.

Every time the quill pen gently scraped the paper of the grimoire, a soft noise like cutting fruit echoed quietly.

The contents of the grimoire, which had been written in unrecognizable strange characters, were gradually changing into understandable content.

A work of translating by overwriting the existing strange characters with letters, changing them into the common language of the continent.

[Celestial Formula: The Model Garden is originally a degraded version of the Celestial Transposition Formula of Chicheon [治天 – a name meaning ‘Governing Heaven’].]

The skeleton said in a voice that seemed to be immersed in memories.

[He was the most noble and arrogant ascendant in the 2nd world… and a genius who deserved to be so.]

“……”

[He tried to read the flow of the sky and stars and hold them in his hands, but even that arrogance gave great inspiration to those who lived in the same era.]

The skeleton said, slowly turning the page.

[In particular, the secret of the Celestial Transposition Formula he created, the Model Garden, can be regarded as the origin of the magnetic field used by sorcerers today.]

“……The Model Garden was a power close to the origin of the magnetic field?”

The moment Lenok’s expression slightly hardened at the unexpected information.

The skeleton, who had finished translating to the last page in an instant, put down the pen.

Clack.

The skeleton, who closed the grimoire, handed it back to Lenok and smiled.

[He was a great man. And a respectable rival.]

“……”

[As promised a long time ago, I will lend you the grimoire of Chicheon. Please use it for good and return it to its place.]

The original owner of the Celestial Formula. Chicheon [治天], the ascendant of the old world.

Was he a monster who possessed both the power and personality befitting the terrifying name of ruling the sky?

Why was it explaining the hidden story about him at this point?

Why did that shabby skeleton know so much about such a hidden story?

As he felt the suspicion that had sprouted in a corner of his mind turn into conviction, Lenok opened the grimoire of the Celestial Formula.

====

In the name of Chicheon, who embraces and watches over the sky.

All the stars rotate and shine in our hands.

We shall create a Model Garden and preserve its beauty forever.

====

The contents of the grimoire, which had been unrecognizable until just now, were now translated into the common language.

At this level, there would be no problem in reading the book and learning the principles and theories of the formula.

[Since you got the answer to the quiz right, I can translate the other grimoires you brought if you want.]

The skeleton, who had handed the grimoire to Lenok, pointed to the other grimoires with a gentle gesture.

[Black God’s Demonic Arts and Hellfire Illusion Palace. The translation is almost complete, so there shouldn’t be any problem in understanding them, but if you need help.]

“……No.”

Lenok said that and took out another grimoire from his chest.

“Not the other grimoires, but I would like you to translate this book.”

[Seal of Fate: Àΰú¿ªÀü]

The skeleton’s answer stopped abruptly as it looked at the title of the grimoire.

Lenok looked at the skeleton head-on and asked.

“I want to know the contents of this book.”

The ominous keyword, Seal of Fate. The ‘Fourth Beyond’ written inside the book.

The possibility that the contents of this book were related to him in some way was very high.

That was why Lenok had kept it, planning to steal the grimoire itself, avoiding the eyes of the skeleton librarian.

However, if the skeleton in front of him was the opponent, there was no point in hiding and concealing it.

[Oh dear……]

The skeleton gave a wry smile with a troubled look.

At that moment, its blurry light seemed to stare right through Lenok.

[To bring this grimoire to me instead of reading it and forgetting it. It seems that you are not affected by the curse of cognitive decline at all.]

“……”

[I’m sorry, but I can’t translate this book. This is because it is not a book recorded in the era I lived in.]

“What do you mean by the era you lived in…?”

[You should already understand.]

The skeleton shook its head.

[This is a book recorded in the future. It is the afterglow of a memory that should not exist anywhere in the current timeline.]

“……”

[Cause and effect are connected, the great causality circulates, and stretches out towards the infinite future… a letter that flew from a non-existent beyond.]

The skeleton whispered.

[Therefore, we cannot possess or understand this book. That’s because this archive still belongs to this world.]

The beyond of the future.

Did the skeleton understand what it had just said to Lenok?

The meaning of a book from the future being placed in the Nox Biblio, an archive that records the sorcery of the old world.

As Lenok was thinking about that fact, the skeleton, who had put down the grimoire of the Seal of Fate, said.

[I will put the book back where it was originally. It’s something you can’t take out of the archive anyway.]

“……”

[If you want, you can come back to see this grimoire anytime while you have access to the archive.]

The skeleton, who picked up the pen again, pointed to the back of the archive.

[The way out is over there. I hope to see you again before the return deadline.]

With a quiet piece of advice, the skeleton turned its back again as if there was nothing more to do, and began to scribble with the pen.

Even though it had faced Lenok and talked to him, it didn’t seem to have any feelings about him.

It was as if it was trying not to pay much attention to the existence of Lenok in this place.

But rather, because of that, Lenok was sure that it knew him.

“……”

Holding the grimoire in one hand, he stared at the skeleton’s back.

Should he say something here? Or would it be better to pretend not to know each other and leave?

It was clear that continuing the conversation any further in this place was not what the skeleton wanted.

But even knowing that, Lenok was thinking that this opportunity might not come again.

Curiosity rather than regret, and interest rather than longing, were holding his feet and not letting him go.

He knew that the moment he spoke, it would be irreversible, but if there was something he had to do anyway.

“You said that translation is the process of connecting two different cultures and languages.”

Lenok, who had made up his mind, opened his mouth.

“In other words, it is the process of connecting the traces that existed in different timelines.”

[……]

“The task of connecting the memories of two different worlds. Is that the new answer you have reached in this world?”

[……I don’t know what you’re talking about.]

The skeleton replied in a slow bass voice.

[But it would be better to be careful. The time in this archive flows in a different way than the outside.]

“……”

[There must be someone waiting for you outside, is it okay to waste time with me like this?]

“I didn’t say a word about how I was able to enter this archive.”

Lenok retorted coldly.

“I didn’t say why I came to this archive either.”

[……]

“Stop pretending and let’s talk for a while. You and I know that we remember each other.”

The skeleton librarians, who had been busily moving around, were now standing still as if dead.

The silence where the sound of paper rustling and the friction of the pen tilting had disappeared.

Looking at the skeleton’s back buried in the darkness, Lenok called out its name.

“Naoise Penn.”

Whoosh…!!

A cool wind that shouldn’t have blown rushed through the archive.

Feeling the darkness brushing against his cheek, Lenok slowly raised his magic power.

The skeleton, who had been silent for a long time, slowly put down the pen it was holding and turned around.

[You know nothing about the virtues of humility and modesty.]

Clack!

The light in the skeleton’s eyes, which had turned towards Lenok, was now filled with a void darkness like the darkness of an endless hell.

[Do I really have to personally guide you on the fact that there are things you should pretend not to know even if you see them?]

“……”

After hearing Oliviera’s explanation about the Nox Biblio.

Even after facing countless skeleton librarians in the darkness.

While meeting the skeleton in front of him to borrow the Celestial Formula, Lenok already knew.

That the skeleton in front of him was the great transcendent who had challenged ascension in the depths of some memory.

The memory of ascension that Lenok, the cult leader, and the commander had used as a meeting place.

The end of the great transcendent who challenged ascension in the 2nd world.

Naoise Penn, a level 9 necromancer.

Lenok was directly asking him about the fact that he was the owner of the Nox Biblio.

“Why is the ascendant of the second world acting as a librarian in this subspace?”