As we were performing this silly comedy routine, a voice called out from the seat behind us, and we turned around. Celia was sitting in the seat right behind us, smiling cheerfully.
“Hey, Celia. It’s rare to see you sitting in front, isn’t it?”
“Fufu, just for today. I came when I saw you all sitting in the front.”
“So you have some business with us?”
Hearing Celia’s words, I said with certainty. It’s unlikely that someone as surprisingly cunning as her would come to us just for small talk.
“Hehe, don’t be so cautious. It’s quite valuable information.”
“Just tell me without beating around the bush.”
As I rushed Celia, who was teasing me, she said, “Well, if you insist.”
“Actually, we might soon get permission to enter the ‘Luna Ruins’. Would you like to explore it together?”
“…Huh?”
Gareth and I were stunned by this shocking news, while Lily’s sleepiness vanished as she exclaimed, “I’m in!” with sparkling eyes.
The Luna Ruins.
It’s a relic believed to have been built in the era of primordial spirits and gods, more than ten thousand spirit years ago.
As mentioned in spirit theology lectures, the Luna Ruins, true to its name, is a structure built by people who worshipped Luna, the Moon Goddess, one of the deities said to have existed long ago. Its distinctive feature is the statue of Goddess Luna in each room, with her symbol, the moon, engraved throughout.
The tower-like Luna Ruins has been subject to various theories among researchers. Some suggest it was an altar for offering prayers to Goddess Luna, while others believe it served as a lighthouse. However, many details remain unknown.
We were invited to explore one of these ancient ruins, shrouded in mystery.
“So, are you joining?” Gareth asked.
“I’m in,”
Lily responded instantly, munching on her bread.
It was past noon, and we three were having lunch in a corner of the bustling cafeteria, filled with hungry students.
“Well, I know Lily’s in. I was asking Rourke,”
“Hmm, what should I do?”
I pondered, chewing on my meat and vegetable stir-fry set meal.
“You’re not going?”
“I’m thinking about it.”
“Let’s go. It’s decided.”
“Don’t decide for me,”
I said, calming down a disgruntled Lily while considering my options.
Exploring the Luna Ruins is certainly appealing. It would count towards our credits, and we might even receive rewards for new discoveries. We could even keep any artifacts we find inside the ruins.
Just a little thought reveals numerous benefits.
However…
“Surely it’ll be fine, right?”
“Well… I suppose so,”
Gareth, who seems to have seen the look on my face, throws these words at me, but I can only reply vaguely.
My main concern about exploring ancient ruins is the risk of others discovering that I don’t have a contracted spirit. Especially in the Luna Ruins, where anything could happen. I want to go, but it’s not worth the risk of exposure.
“Are you going, Gareth?”
“Of course. Opportunities to enter the Luna Ruins are limited. We should go while we can.”
“Yeah, I guess so.”
For a normal student, participating would be the obvious choice. The Luna Ruins, due to their danger, have stricter entry restrictions compared to other ancient ruins.
As a spirit mage with some skill, I should participate, but…
“Even Gareth is going, Rourke. You’re not coming?”
“Well…”
But still, “Shall we go?” Group activities are “You’re going, right?” The risk is big “You have to go, right?” … “Let’s go” …
“Be quiet for a bit. I’m trying to think.”
“I’ll be quiet if you say you’re going.”
“That defeats the purpose of thinking about it.”
It seems Lily is determined to drag me to the Luna Ruins no matter what. About ninety percent of her words have been about going.
“It’s better to go with friends, right Lily?”
“There’s no way we’re not going. It’s not even an option.”
“…You’re right about that.”
Opportunities to enter the Luna Ruins are rare. We might not get another chance during our time at the academy. We should go while we can.
“I guess I’ll go then.”
“That’s more like it!”
“Got your word on it.”
As I decided to go, Gareth smiled happily, and Lily nodded with satisfaction while continuing to munch on her bread.
“Let’s go tell Celia we’re participating after this.”
“Sorry, I have a part-time job later. Could you two explain it for me?”
“Oh, that’s right. Well then, Lily, shall we go together after we finish eating?”
I watched Lily nod in agreement as I calculated the list of things I needed to prepare for the ruins exploration and their costs, letting out a small sigh.
It looks like I’ll need to be even more frugal this month.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT LOCALIZERMEERKAT.PAGES.DEV
Galadea, the Academy City.
This is a city that developed around an academy for training spirit mages. To the west lies the urban area, while to the east spreads a grand market where you can find everything from food ingredients to spirit art books and sealing stones. It’s also equipped with churches, temples, red-light districts, theaters, libraries, arenas, and even water and sewage systems, making it undoubtedly the second-largest city in the Romus Kingdom after the capital.
“Sigh…”
And here I am, working my part-time job in a room of a building in a corner of the grand market.
I let out a deep sigh as I pick up and organize books and documents scattered all over the floor, leaving no space to stand.
The pay is quite good, which helps, but despite coming here quite frequently, the unchanging sight is puzzling.
“Ah, sorry for the trouble again today, Rourke. I’ve been so busy, I couldn’t find the time to tidy up.”
“If you feel that way, you should try to keep it organized on a regular basis.”
The one apologizing with an unapologetic expression is my part-time boss and mentor, Owen Libria.
With his red glasses, he looks intellectual yet somewhat disheveled. While he has a somewhat suspicious air about him, he’s a skilled spirit mage and a senior who once attended the same Utrea Academy as me.
“Haha, it’s strange, you know. I’m sure I organize it many times, but it never seems to stay tidy.”
“That’s because you start messing it up again right after organizing it.”
When I point out the truth, irritated by Owen’s cheerful laughter, he responds with an equally cheerful “I guess so~”.
“Please pay a little more attention to your surroundings, not just your research.”
“I try to, but once I start, I just get so focused.”
Owen is not only a spirit mage but also a historian.
All these papers scattered on the floor like trash are his precious research materials.
He should treat them with more care.
“By the way, I heard you’re going to the Luna Ruins? That’s great. I’m looking forward to some souvenirs.”
“There won’t be any souvenirs. More importantly, Master, what kind of place are the Luna Ruins?”
“Well, who knows? There are various speculations – an altar, a lighthouse, a building for communicating with gods – but nothing’s been confirmed.”
Owen answers my question while returning the scattered books to the shelves one by one. It seems even Owen doesn’t know much about it.
“Well, one thing’s for sure – that ruin must have had some important role, unlike other ruins.”
“An important role…?”
I wonder if that oddly shaped tower really had such an important role. To me, it seems to have no value beyond being a historical relic.
“Do you know why entry to those ruins is usually restricted?”
“…I only know it’s because it’s more dangerous compared to other ruins.”
The main reason for that is the presence of guardian spirits.
The people of the past must have worried about their temples and tombs being desecrated after their death. They entrusted the protection to spirits, and not just any spirits, but high-ranking ones at that.
As a result, not only grave robbers but also modern researchers trying to investigate the ruins have been spectacularly repelled by these spirits, hindering progress in the investigations.
“That’s right. The defense mechanisms in the Luna Ruins are a bit… excessive.”
“Excessive?”
Ignoring my confused expression, Owen continues.
“Rourke, if you could place a guardian on either a safe or a pencil case, which would you choose?”
“The safe, of course.”
“Exactly.”
It’s an obvious choice when comparing the two values.
But what’s the point of this question— Ah, I see.
“You mean the more important the building, the stronger the security?”
“Precisely. Well, this is just our speculation. We can’t be sure that human thinking was the same in the past as it is now.”
Owen says with a wry smile, but I have to agree. It’s human nature to strengthen security for valuable things.
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