A good job

“The Holy Sword Family… is going to build a library for magic texts in Florence?”

Loya’s eyes narrowed slightly.

His finger unconsciously rose to rest gently against his chin.

A magic library, and funded by the Holy Sword Family at that.

If such a thing were built, it would undoubtedly become a new landmark of Florence.

The problem, however, was that in all the cycles of reincarnation he had experienced, he had no memory of this happening in any previous life.

In other words, this was a completely new branch of events that even he—a multi-cycle regressor—had not anticipated.

“Yes.”

Furubi nodded earnestly, the light from the window reflecting in her golden eyes.

“I heard that this is being built to celebrate the upcoming union; the Holy Sword Family decided to invest in the construction in response to a request from the Levincite Family.”

“I see.”

Loya understood instantly, lowering his hand from his chin and returning to his usual composed posture.

The Levincite Family, as one of the three major families governing Florence, likely wanted to use this opportunity to demand the Holy Sword Family share some of their magical heritage.

By doing so, they could bolster their own family’s strength and consolidate, or even expand, their influence within the city-state.

It could be viewed as a collateral benefit of the political marriage.

One didn’t need to be a genius to realize that this so-called “library,” once completed, would basically be a VIP-only facility for the family, acting as a breeding ground for the “tools” working for them so they could create more value under the nourishment of knowledge.

As for the common citizens or wild adventurers like them?

Heh, the smile of the security guard at the gate would be the deepest insight they’d ever get.

After all, they called it a “Collection House,” not a “Knowledge Sharing for the Public” library.

Thinking it through, and considering Kalandria’s recent actions, Loya’s impression of the Levincite Family dropped even further.

‘They really are a nest of calculating, profit-driven individuals.’

This fit his long-standing perception of noble families perfectly.

However, since the Holy Sword Family was involved…

A faint, almost imperceptible cold smile played at the corner of Loya’s mouth.

“That is indeed a good opportunity… Cough, I mean, a good employment opportunity.”

Although that flash of strangeness was gone in an instant, fast enough to be nearly impossible to catch, it did not escape the jade-like eyes of the elf girl.

When it came to observing Teacher Loya, no one was more professional or meticulous than her.

Timothée keenly captured that subtle change in her teacher’s tone.

The slight fluctuation in pitch, the flicker of light that momentarily flashed in his eyes—to her, these minute signals were as clear and bright as a lighthouse in the dark of night.

“Does Teacher want… me to try for it?”

Timothée asked tentatively, her voice perfectly controlled—it carried the usual hint of obedience, as if waiting for instructions.

“Uh…”

Loya pondered for a moment.

To be honest, he really did want her to.

He had been looking for a way to get close to the Holy Sword Family, and this was like someone handing him a pillow just as he was starting to feel sleepy—even if it was only an indirect connection.

Whether from the perspective of planning for his student’s future or satisfying his own selfish desires, this was a path toward making contact with the King of Knights.

It did feel a bit like he was using his student.

But on second thought, this wasn’t a bad thing for Timothée herself; in fact, it could be a great opportunity.

Therefore, Loya didn’t feel much guilt.

Besides, in the grand scheme of things, the ultimate goal was to break the cycle of world destruction, which was a good thing for this world as a whole.

“It all depends on your own will…”

Despite his thoughts, Loya kept his tone ninety percent objective and neutral.

On the surface, he maintained the image of an open-minded teacher, his attitude as neutral as possible, as if he were simply providing an option.

“But speaking of which, don’t you like magic very much? You used to seek me out to discuss related issues quite often.

If you enter the Magic Library, there should be many opportunities for learning and in-depth research; it could be a good channel for self-improvement.”

“Oh…”

The elf girl lowered her head slightly, her green eyes shimmering behind her lenses as if she were seriously digesting her teacher’s advice and analysis.

As if.

How could she possibly care about magic?

All of that had just been an excuse she made up to spend more time with her teacher and talk to him more.

However, Timothée heard the unspoken, true intention hidden beneath her teacher’s “for your own good” very clearly.

When a normal person recommends something someone else is interested in, they provide an objective introduction at most.

But in her teacher’s words, every line was permeated with a sense of “it would be great if I could go myself…”

So, the person truly interested in that library and the magic of the Holy Sword Family was Teacher himself?!

Could it be… Teacher wants to use my identity to peer into the secret magic mysteries of the Holy Sword Family that are never shared with outsiders?

In other words, Teacher actually hopes I will infiltrate the Holy Sword Family and become his “eyes” and “ears”…

‘Teacher… needs me?!’

The final conclusion sent a jolt like an electric current through her entire body.

Her heart hammered “thump-thump-thump” like a drum, nearly leaping out of her flat, delicate chest.

Timothée forcibly suppressed the surging ecstasy within her, maintaining a calm expression of “serious consideration” on her face.

She simply nodded slightly, pushed up her glasses, and spoke with a tone that was both shy and determined.

“Then, I will try to apply for the position…”

“Mm…”

A very faint smile of satisfaction seemed to pass over Loya’s lips.

However, that smile was retracted so quickly it was as if it had never appeared.

“Then, regarding the introduction, I will have to trouble Miss Furubi.”

He turned to the cleric beside him.

“No problem at all! Being able to help Mr. Loya is my honor!”

Furubi smiled exceptionally brightly, her beautiful golden eyes curving into two lovely crescents.

Helping the respected Mr. Loya while also assisting an elf lady in need.

Double the happiness—it was truly wonderful.

While feeling happy for others, her heart was filled with a small, pure sense of bliss.

[Those who do a good deed daily and help others hold up a torch to light the path ahead will themselves receive warmth from that flame]—the maxims in the scriptures did not lie.

Looking at the cleric across from her, whose smile was so pure it could almost be described as “holy,” shining with the radiance of altruism, Timothée’s eye twitched violently.

‘No! Wait a minute!’

She had been so immersed in the massive joy of “being needed by Teacher” that she had almost forgotten the eyesore next to her—

The Lecherous Cleric with her own holy light!

She had originally intended to just go with the flow, using the cleric’s words as a step to get down from her awkward position and see if she could suss out her teacher’s true thoughts.

She hadn’t expected that the cleric would use her as a ladder instead, climbing up another level in her teacher’s favor.

As an opponent—no, as an enemy—this woman was truly…

Not simple at all.