Extraordinary Voyage
Chapter 90: Borrowing Application

Chapter 90: Chapter 90: Borrowing Application

The battle ended, and their city tour plans could continue.

Uninjured, Aiven and Krell walked along Green Shade Street, the central street of New Inn Port.

The city’s high spired towers and slender columns, predominantly black Gothic architecture, exude a rich exotic aura. Squares, churches, theaters, parks, and more all speak of the city’s prosperity and abundance.

The trees lining both sides of the avenue are lushly green, maintained in a very tidy manner.

Throughout history, countries on the continent suffered large-scale epidemics multiple times. Long ago, driven by the Royal Medical Society, city residents recognized the close connection between sanitary conditions and health.

At least in public areas such as the wealthy district, administrative district, church district, and business district, the sanitation conditions are well assured.

In Aiven’s eyes, New Inn Port, as the largest port city on the Kingdom’s west coast, and Gabred, where the Third Fleet is stationed, can be said to each have their strengths.

Gabred is the Kingdom’s nearest port city to the New Continent, and it has been one of the most important strongholds since the Age of Navigation that began two hundred years ago. Trade and exploration are its eternal themes.

New Inn Port, on the other hand, has stronger political functions. It is the station of the Royal Navy Academy, houses the First Fleet directly controlled by the Imperial Family, and is also the headquarters for the Adventurer’s Guild and Sea Hunter Guild in Phaletis.

"Adventurer’s Guild? Sea Hunter Guild?"

Through Krell’s introduction, Aiven developed a keen interest in these two civilian organizations.

Apart from the official system’s logistical and intelligence support, these two guilds shoulder functions such as civilian introduction for crew members, buying and selling intelligence, resource exchange, and task publishing. They are also a strong backing for many wild extraordinary individuals who depend on them for survival.

Though the functions of the two guilds overlap somewhat, they often band together, sharing a unified stance. Even the Kingdom’s officialdom cannot ignore their immense presence.

Thus, amidst the prosperity brought by the crowds in New Inn Port, it inevitably becomes a mix of dragons and snakes. Even with the strong suppression by the First Fleet and Navy Academy, public order remains a headache for the Governor.

"So, are you interested in the Adventurer’s Guild?"

Seeing Aiven pause before a grand white marble building and acting as a guide, Krell couldn’t help but ask.

"Although registering as an adventurer has thresholds, requiring certain years of sailing experience and recommendations from at least two members, it’s not a problem for an Official Knight.

Moreover, the Adventurer’s Guild’s task hall occasionally publishes tasks for members to take on, from searching for people or objects, chasing Pirates, to exploring unknown sea areas, and hunting specific Demonized Creatures. The rewards are fair enough, especially if you’re short on money."

Krell indeed was the local serpent of New Inn Port, knowing the secrets thoroughly.

"I’ll consider it. Once the short training is over and I’m back to the fleet, there’s likely not much time to participate in exploration activities." Standing still and watching, Aiven was only slightly touched.

After all, over a hundred years ago, an ancestor of the Galliot family started as just an ordinary adventurer, building the family from scratch, struggles, and hardships.

And most generations of the Baron Galliot and male members of the family were senior members of the Adventurer’s Guild.

"By the way, Krell, I heard the Royal Navy Academy has a very rich library. Do you know how to qualify for borrowing?" Aiven asked Krell seemingly unintentionally.

"Anyone can enter the public library as long as they’re a student. You might be talking about the legendary ’Shadow Library,’ thought to house numerous mysterious knowledge.

Indeed, such a place exists, where any attending academy student or sponsored Kingdom Navy can apply for borrowing. If approved, they can obtain lifetime access.

They can also return here to borrow books anytime after graduation."

Aiven was just casually asking when unexpectedly Krell knew about the place and seemed to have profound knowledge of it, so he continued:

"However, no one knows their criteria in judging applicants. There are young entrants who gained immediate approval and academy veteran professors rejected for decades.

Anyway, it’s best not to hold too much hope!"

At this point, Krell’s expression turned peculiar, with a hint of a story behind it.

"Really? I want to try at least. It’s only writing an application letter, and failing is no big deal." Entering the Royal Navy Academy, a significant goal for Aiven was accessing this library, to supplement his weak knowledge of Mysticism. Naturally, he wouldn’t give up lightly.

"Alright, the management office for the Shadow Library is on the seventh floor of the clock tower. You need to deliver the application in person, someone there will handle it.

In reality, this is not a secret within the academy. Excellent students recognized by professors are informed of the library’s existence.

Though it’s set inside the academy, it’s parallel to the institution administratively. Although my grandfather was an academy professor, he had no further understanding of the library, which is possibly one of the most mysterious places in the academy."

Krell no longer tried to dissuade Aiven but shared all he knew. He was evidently not very optimistic about Aiven’s prospects.

The subsequent tour proceeded, merely a cursory look to gain a general understanding of the city. After sharing lunch and strengthening bonds, the two quickly returned to the academy.

The short training was about to start, and it was time for necessary preparations.

...

"Tap.. tap.. tap.."

In dusky surroundings, Aiven, holding a carefully prepared application letter, climbed step by step on the clock tower’s stone stairs.

A ring of stone steps was constructed along the granite walls of the clock tower, each level possessing only a small head-sized window. Even with an oil lamp, a quiet, mysterious atmosphere lingered around.

It naturally caused one to lighten their footsteps, slow their breaths, fearing the disturbance of some terrible existence slumbering in the darkness.

Just the day after their city tour, having obtained the information from Krell, Aiven grew restless, attempting to submit his borrowing application quickly before the semester began.

He couldn’t wait to embrace the mysterious Wizard World...

Continuously climbing layer after layer of stairs.

Till he reached the end of the seventh-floor staircase, before a heavily dated oak-copper paneled gate.

On the heavy wooden door, floated a relief of a Violet pattern, exquisitely crafted, with a radiant eye in the center of the Violet flower. It didn’t appear as meaningless decoration but more like a symbol with mysterious significance.

Staring at the pattern for a while, Aiven didn’t recall anything corresponding from memory, so he simply didn’t overthink and gently knocked on the door.

Knock, knock, knock...

"Come in, the door isn’t locked!" A raspy voice like friction between iron plates emerged from the door, exceeding the audible range for human vocal cords, making it extremely uncomfortable to hear.

With his self-professed fairly tolerant nerves, Aiven still felt as if a million ants were scuttling through his ears, prompting a shiver.

Without seeing anyone, Aiven had already formed some unpleasant associations about the presence behind the door. Glancing at the application letter in hand, he steeled himself, pushed the door, and walked in.

Squeak—