Abyss Sequence-Chapter 361 - 18: Number Two

Interesting!

Very interesting!

Sasa greedily read one book after another, at a speed that drew side glances from other elves.

However, because Number Five stood behind her, the other elves did not comment on her behavior.

Sasa was no longer satisfied with only reading books related to ’soul’ and ’spirituality’, so she had Number Five take out catalogs of other books and quickly searched through them.

Looking at those catalogs, Sasa pointed out the names of books one after another, having Number Five keep summoning them down.

Number Five did not refuse, summoning the books as Sasa requested.

He was now accustomed to Sasa’s reading speed and no longer felt shocked by it.

Suddenly.

As Sasa was reading a book, her body suddenly leaned forward, collapsing onto the table.

Number Five was startled and quickly asked, "Are you okay, Miss Sasa?"

Sasa struggled to turn her head, looked at Number Five, and requested, "Could you cast a stamina recovery magic on me?"

Number Five was taken aback for a moment but then complied with the request, casting a stamina recovery magic on Sasa.

"Whew!"

After recovering her stamina, Sasa immediately sat upright and took out an energy gel from her pocket, feeding herself a tube.

Recently, she rarely overused her stamina and nearly forgot that when she exhausts her stamina, she crashes.

She had to seize the time; otherwise, she wouldn’t be able to read much before her stamina was depleted next time.

After pondering for a moment, Number Five finally asked the question on his mind, "Miss Sasa, what just happened to you?"

Sasa, holding a book and constantly turning pages, casually answered, "My brain absorbs a lot of nutrients, causing me to develop poorly since childhood, resulting in poor physical condition. If my stamina is overused, my body instantly loses strength. I set this protection mechanism for myself to prevent my brain from overusing and draining my body’s nutrients. I just exhausted my stamina just now, nothing serious."

What a strong woman...

Despite having such a painful condition, she could still focus on academics, and Number Five felt a sense of respect for Sasa.

The elves residing in the academy had the utmost respect for those dedicated to academic research. Even though Sasa was human, she was equally focused on academia, completely disregarding her personal safety and willing to devote her short life to academic research. Therefore, Number Five couldn’t help but feel respect for Sasa.

Sasa’s mind was immersed in reading as time gradually passed.

When she felt unwell, she asked Number Five for a stamina recovery spell.

After casting the spell twice on Sasa, Number Five reminded her, "Miss Sasa, you don’t actually have to use all your library reading time in one shot."

Sasa looked back confusedly, "Isn’t it ’one day’?"

Number Five said, "As the administrator of the Great Library, we have the right to define this ’day.’ After all, they agreed you have ’one day’ of usage time, without specifying which definition of ’day’ it is."

Upon hearing this, Sasa was puzzled and asked, "Why are you helping me?"

"Because you are a scholar worthy of admiration." Number Five bowed slightly, "Every elf in the academy respects scholars who dedicate themselves to academic research."

So that’s it.

Sasa nodded, "Alright then, I’ll return tomorrow. Thank you for your help."

Continuously using stamina recovery spells wasn’t a solution, so it was best to rest if possible.

However, since she had nowhere to stay at the academy, she still needed to seek help from Number Five and the others.

"Accommodation is easy to solve."

Number Five told Sasa that the academy had built a hostel for all elves coming from afar just to read books in the Great Library, located right next to the library, visible upon exiting.

However, the hostel wasn’t free; generally, elves coming to the library to read carried equivalencies like military merits. If Sasa and the others wanted to stay at the hostel, they would need to pay something.

Sasa met Yulia at the entrance of the Great Library; she was squatting outside, eating roasted meat from her space pouch.

Yulia had also put away her exoskeleton armor and now looked like an ordinary old lady.

"Apologies, Ms. Bilukova, for keeping you waiting."

Sasa walked over and apologized to Yulia.

Yulia stood up and waved her hand indifferently, "No need to apologize. Oh, by the way, Sasa, I found out there’s a hostel near the Great Library. I’ve already booked a double room, and we’ll stay there tonight and go back tomorrow."

Speaking of this, Sasa explained to Yulia the information she had learned from Number Five.

"So the reading time can actually be divided up?" Yulia was quite surprised; she had thought Sasa was tired from reading and wasn’t planning to continue.

The academy’s promise of ’one day’ of reading time to Sasa did not specify the definition of ’one day.’ In this regard, the administrators of the Great Library had the right to alter the definition.

The Academic Committee surely did not anticipate that the library’s administrators would side with Sasa.

Sasa and Yulia rested in the hostel overnight, and the next day, Sasa went back into the Great Library.

This time, the administrator beside her changed to another elf, this time a blond female elf.

She straightened her ample chest and said softly to Sasa, "Miss Sasa, you may call me ’Number Two.’ Number Five has already explained to me about you. Your reading time will commence from when you start reading, and you currently have fifteen hours of reading time left."

After speaking, Number Two took the initiative to lead Sasa to an empty desk, sat beside her, lazily supported her face with one hand, and asked with a smile what book Sasa wanted to read.

Such ample femininity, if Yan Luo were here, he would surely like her at first glance. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Number Two was a tall elf woman, but when she spoke, she was incredibly gentle, making Sasa feel like she was looking at a mother willing to embrace all of her child’s shortcomings.

After mentally teasing Yan Luo, Sasa gathered her attention back to reading.

She wanted to make good use of her time to read and record all the knowledge she could; this knowledge was very important for Blue Star.

However, after reading for a while, Sasa suddenly felt uncomfortable and noticed Number Two’s gaze.

Number Two was looking at Sasa with a kind gaze, which made Sasa feel a bit uneasy.

But right now, she didn’t need to discuss these matters with Number Two; moreover, Number Two was only looking at her and hadn’t done anything excessive, so she decided to refocus on her reading.

Sasa wanted to focus back on reading, but after trying, she found herself unable to concentrate.

Number Two’s gaze was just too intense. Sasa couldn’t help but take a deep breath and ask Number Two, "Ms. Number Two, is something the matter? Your gaze is making me uncomfortable."

"Oh, I apologize, Miss Sasa, I didn’t realize."

Number Two suddenly seemed a bit flustered, hurriedly adjusted her attire, though nothing needed adjusting, and then turned her head to the other side.

Finally, she could read in peace.

Sasa breathed a sigh of relief and returned her attention to reading.

But not long after, Sasa noticed Number Two’s gaze again.

This time, instead of staring intently, Number Two occasionally turned to look at her, then turned her head back.

This left Sasa quite troubled; she pursed her lips and spoke to Number Two, "Ms. Number Two, why do you pay so much attention to me?"

Only then did Number Two realize her actions had been noticed, and she felt an immense sense of shame.

After a moment of silence, Number Two sighed, "You remind me of my late daughter. She was as tall as you when she passed away, and you really look alike. I suggested to Number Five to switch shifts when I saw you last night because I wanted to look at you more. But the more I look, the more you two seem alike... Miss Sasa, may I ask how old you are this year?"

"Twenty-one," Sasa replied.

The time of Alfheim was very similar to Blue Star time, with similar orbital and rotational periods.

Sasa’s twenty-one years were equivalent to twenty-one years in Alfheim as well.

Upon hearing this, Number Two was like a struck by lightning.

Then, with a trembling voice, she said, "My daughter... also passed away twenty-one years ago..."