Chapter 67: Vladimir

I stood up, straightened my skirt, and then waited for the train to come to a complete stop.

The doors slowly opened amidst a roar of steam.

After getting off the train, across from the platform was a huge, hollowed-out gate.

I went to a nearby shop, bought a pair of gloves for five pence and put them on my right hand, making sure the mark wouldn't be discovered, before walking towards the Lyceum's gate.

Behind the gate was a wide marble staircase that led directly to the Lyceum's main building.

On both sides of the stairs stood huge bronze statues, figures of scholars holding tomes, their gazes forever fixed on the distance.

Walking up the stairs, one could see more exquisite architectural details.

Gothic pointed arches and classical colonnades blended perfectly, and the walls were carved with intricate reliefs telling the story of the transmission of knowledge.

I looked around as I walked.

Scholars came and went, their black robes shimmering slightly in the sunlight.

At the top of the stairs, I saw a large bronze plaque engraved with the Lyceum's motto:

【Knowledge is Power, Wisdom is Eternity】

“Speaking of which.. where do I find someone like a Bishop?”

I suddenly realized I didn't seem to understand the structure of Saint Clement's Lyceum.

Just as I was hesitating about which way to go, a young female scholar passed by.

The female scholar's black robe was embroidered with silver thread, and a badge in the shape of an ink bottle was pinned to her chest.

“What's wrong, student?”

Seeing me standing still, wearing a trench coat that was not a uniform, the female scholar stopped and asked kindly.

“Are you a new student? No.... you look to be only about sixteen, could it be you skipped a grade?”

The female scholar looked me up and down curiously, seemingly mistaking me for a new student who had just enrolled and didn't know what to do.

“Although there's still a week until school starts, it's not unheard of for students to register early....”

Before I could answer, the female scholar had already pointed to a building on the right:

“The Student Affairs Office is over there, you can go there to register first.”

“No... that's not it, I'm here to find someone”

“Find someone?”

The female scholar showed a look of interest, her gaze lingering on my right eye for a moment.

“Are you here to find a professor? If you can tell me the name, I might be able to show you the way.”

“I... am actually looking for someone of a relatively high status.”

I hesitated for a moment, but still decided to state my purpose.

“For example... the headmaster or someone like that?”

After thinking it over, I ultimately decided not to say the word Bishop.

“The headmaster? Not just anyone can see the headmaster.”

The female scholar shook her head gently, “But I think I understand what you mean. If you want to see the highest authority, then you should look for the Head Librarian. He is also the chairman of the Academic Committee, so he's pretty much the person with the most authority here.”

“Head Librarian....”

I repeated the title silently.

“Come with me, I'm heading to the library anyway.”

The female scholar made a welcoming gesture and led me towards the building complex on the left.

Saint Clement's Lyceum Library.

Under the huge dome, countless bookshelves were neatly arranged, and the air was filled with a rich scent of ink.

“This is the library of Saint Clement's Lyceum.”

The female scholar said proudly, “It is also the largest library in all of Britannic.”

“It's so big....”

I looked at the huge building in front of me in disbelief.

The scale of this library alone was already comparable to the school I attended in Dunke City.

“No need to be so surprised yet, there are more surprises waiting inside.”

The female scholar smiled, then led me into the library.

Just as the two of us were about to enter the door, a hurried figure suddenly ran out of the library.

The figure appeared so abruptly that I didn't notice and was knocked to the ground.

“Sorry.”

The man who had bumped into me reached out his hand to me, his face full of apology.

“Are you hurt?”

“I'm fine....”

I shook my head slightly, didn't take his hand, and stood up on my own.

“Running is forbidden in the library, sir.”

The female scholar said with a frown.

“Sorry, it's my fault.”

The other party didn't seem to want to argue, and obediently bowed his head in apology.

Seeing this, neither of us could say much.

The female scholar only reminded him a few more times, and then led me into the library.

The inside of the library was even more magnificent than it looked from the outside.

Bookshelves several stories high stretched all the way to the dome, with spiral staircases winding upwards, their brass railings gleaming in the sunlight.

“Clack—clack—”

The crisp sound of leather shoes on the marble floor echoed in the quiet space.

“The Head Librarian's office is on the top floor.”

The female scholar pointed to the very top, “But at this time, he should be in the rare book room on the third floor.”

With that, she led me to an exquisite elevator.

It was a device powered by steam, the cage made of brass and glass, offering a clear view of the outside.

The elevator ascended slowly, and I noticed that each floor had a different sign:

First Floor: General Collection Area

Second Floor: Research Materials Area

Third Floor: Rare Book Room, Manuscript Area

Fourth Floor: Restricted Section (Special permission required)

Fifth Floor: Head Librarian's Office

On the third floor, the female scholar led me through several rows of bookshelves to a carved wooden door.

The brass plate on the door read 【Rare Book Room】.

“This is as far as I can take you,” the female scholar said, “Good luck.”

After saying that, she nodded to me and turned to leave.

I watched her disappear from sight, then turned to face the carved wooden door in front of me.

After taking a deep breath, I raised my hand and knocked on the door.

“Knock, knock, knock—”

“Come in.”

A deep male voice came from inside.

I carefully pushed the door open, and what came into view was a softly lit room.

The surrounding walls were all bookshelves, with a large oak table in the middle.

A white-haired old man was sitting at the table, intently studying an ancient book.

He looked up, and under his thick white eyebrows was a pair of sharp eyes.

When he saw my right eye, his gaze clearly flickered.

“Hello....”

I spoke softly, while subconsciously hiding my right hand behind my back.

“Ah... please come in, miss.”

The old man closed the book and revealed a meaningful smile.

“I have been waiting for you.”

“Waiting... for me?”

“The guardian of wisdom told me that a special guest would visit today.”

He said with a smile, then gestured for me to come forward.

“There is no need to be formal, you who have been chosen by wisdom, please come forward.”

I carefully walked forward and noticed that the old man's black robe was embroidered with gold thread, and a gold badge of an open book was pinned to his chest.

“Please, sit.”

The old man pointed to the chair opposite him, then took out an exquisite tea set from a drawer.

“Clink—”

The crisp sound of porcelain clinking echoed in the quiet room.

“You must have many questions,” he said as he poured hot water into the teapot.

The aroma of black tea quickly spread.

“Rest assured, as long as it's something I can answer, I will tell you everything I know—it would be my honor.

My name is Vladimir, may I ask your name?”

“My name is Me—ahem....”

I was about to speak, but then I suddenly thought of something and coughed lightly twice.

Then, I raised my head, looked into his wise eyes, and tried my best to suppress the turmoil in my heart.

I said:

“My name is—Melantha.”