civilwarnovels Chapter 8 The Treatment of Senior Students
Chapter 8 The Treatment of Senior Students
winter.
A beam of blinding sunlight shone on Aaron's face.
He instinctively tried to turn over, but because the blanket was too thick, he could barely move and had to get out of bed.
The library was long past its opening hours, yet Aaron was struggling with his problems.
If he were to get up, he would have to endure the cold to get dressed, but if he stayed in bed, he might miss the visiting guests.
In his dilemma, he came up with an idea and shouted:
"Henry!"
If Henry brings the clothes over, he can get dressed in his warm bed!
However, despite calling out repeatedly, there was no response.
"Where have you been so early in the morning?"
With no other option, Aaron had to endure the cold and reached for his clothes on the bedside table.
After washing up, Aaron ate a simple meal of beer and dark bread, and then habitually went to the mirror.
He wasn't there to look in the mirror, but to see the painting hanging next to it.
Brianna Lorraine has been dead for a long time, but Aaron feels that there is still a connection between them.
The only difference is whether what separates them is Riddle's "Notebook" or the curse implanted in Aaron's body.
The dark power was still active, and Aaron had carefully deconstructed the curse using Riddle's theories.
He now has a chance to break the curse, but he doesn't understand how Brianna cast it, or whether the curse is really as she said that day.
However, he did not attempt to resolve the issue.
First, he wanted to continue figuring out the specifics of the curse; second, he simply didn't believe that Brianna would harm him, so the curse posed no danger.
"curator!"
A sudden voice from behind startled Aaron, who was deep in thought.
He turned around:
"Henry, you're back! Where have you been?"
Since Aaron returned from Brianna's funeral, he had repaired the gate, and it has not made any noise since.
That "creak~" sound seemed to have become Brianna's exclusive sound.
That's why Aaron didn't notice Henry coming up behind him.
Aaron looked at Henry's face.
Henry's curly hair had reached his neck, and he had grown a full beard on his chin, giving him the appearance of a reliable adult man.
"Oh, I've gone to the docks to unload cargo."
Upon hearing this, Aaron narrowed his eyes, a glint of light flashing in his pupils: "How much money did you make?"
"Three small silver coins and fifty copper coins."
"Give it to me," Aaron said, extending his hand.
"Hey! But this is money I earned from a part-time job!"
"I know, but don't you have to pay tuition for classes here?"
"But curator, didn't you say I could work to pay for my tuition?"
"this……"
Aaron was momentarily speechless, but quickly found his words and smiled.
"But you're still eating and lodging here, right? These are extra expenses that need to be paid separately."
Upon hearing this, Henry reluctantly handed over his wages.
She pursed her lips, her expression one of deep sadness.
Aaron patted Henry on the shoulder:
"Don't worry, the curator doesn't want this money. He's keeping it for you so you don't spend it on useless things. He'll make sure you can afford your university tuition in the future."
"But I don't plan to study..."
"You have to get married eventually, right? Don't worry, the curator wouldn't cheat you, would he?"
"Haven't we been scammed enough already...?"
Henry muttered something under his breath, while Aaron pretended not to hear.
"Director, could I keep some for myself?"
Aaron thought for a moment and returned the change from the fifty copper coins to Henry.
Perhaps knowing he wouldn't get his hard-earned money back, Henry stopped dwelling on the issue and asked:
"Curator, you seem to really like this painting?"
Aaron looked puzzled: "Really?"
"Yes, you stare at it for a long time almost every day."
"Really? I didn't notice," Aaron's slightly frivolous expression vanished almost entirely.
Does the girl in the painting actually exist? Who is she?
"Yes, she is. In a way, she's your senior," Aaron laughed.
"Senior?"
"That's right, she took classes in the library before you!"
"I see,"
Henry nodded thoughtfully, then suddenly, as if struck by a thought, he stared intently at Aaron.
"So, does this senior student receive the same treatment as me? Does she have to work in the library, take care of your daily life, and also work part-time to supplement the library's expenses?"
Aaron glanced at Henry with displeasure: "How could that be! I haven't taken a single penny from her!"
"Hey! So, curator, you're not just targeting me alone!"
Oh no, he's found out...
Aaron quickly changed the subject: "It's getting late, time for class!"
……
Aaron recalled that three years ago, when Henry first came to the library, he was an introverted boy who was illiterate.
However, after three years of tutelage by Aaron, Henry has been able to read and write common words, and his personality has become much more cheerful.
However, Aaron tried many methods to change his indecisiveness.
The course pace was anything but fast; let alone mastering the skills, the intensive reading was only halfway done.
Today's lesson covers a challenging aspect of the Stargazer's Enchanting Theory.
Although Aaron had prepared in advance, it seemed unrealistic to expect Henry, with his dense mind, to understand it in one go.
Therefore, Aaron decided to only clarify the basic framework for Henry, and leave the rest to Henry to study on his own.
"You should already understand that stargazers' theories originate from celestial phenomena, right?"
Henry nodded, then quickly searched for relevant information in his notes:
"Stargazers believe that the stars possess emotions and consciousness, and are able to notice and respond to human presence, making them no different from gods, which is why humans can pray to or steal power from them."
Henry would carefully write down the key points Aaron made.
Aaron was pleased with this, but at the same time he was worried that Henry's serious attitude might prevent him from putting the theory into practice as he pleased.
But at least for the current learning phase, Aaron had no need to deny Henry's attitude, so he continued explaining:
"Therefore, stargazers believe that in addition to stealing power from the stars, they can also steal emotions and consciousness."
"But so what? All a mage needs is power, isn't it?"
"Henry, don't forget, you're studying enchanting! If you can imbue inanimate objects with emotions and consciousness, it will inevitably change the world!"
Henry looked at Aaron with a candid gaze: "Did the stargazers change the world?"
This problem stumped Aaron, because according to the historical data he had, there had been no historical changes during the period when the stargazers lived.
"To my knowledge, no."
Aaron had no choice but to answer truthfully.
"This indicates that there are flaws in his theory or enchanting magic. However, you must master it; only then can you discover and correct the errors."
Henry nodded without hesitation, which was what Aaron admired most about Henry—he didn't readily object but humbly accepted others' suggestions.
Aaron must teach Henry this seemingly flawed theory. Henry's complete mastery of the book is a prerequisite for Aaron to acquire the power within it.
Aaron did not teach any new material after that. Since it was a difficult point, Henry needed to be given enough time to think about and study it.
Aaron told Henry to study on his own, and picked up a book at random, returning to the registration desk to read quietly.
"Bang!"
A sudden loud noise shattered the tranquility of the library.
Someone recklessly broke down the library's main door.
Aaron looked over and saw a mother and daughter.
The two men were dressed in rags, their faces red from the sharp winter wind.
My mother still has many wounds on her limbs and torso, some of which are fresh and bleeding, but Dongfeng shouldn't be blamed for this.
Judging from the looks of it, they fled here.
The mother's gaze swept between Aaron and Henry, and she quickly concluded that Aaron was more like the master of the place.
He then went to the registration desk, knelt down, and pleaded:
"Kind sir, please, save us, at least save my daughter!"
Aaron frowned; the two people in front of him must be involved in some dangerous incident.
If Aaron intervenes rashly, he will inevitably get caught up in it.
His magic touch had just begun to show promise, so he was unwilling to take the risk.
Just as he was about to decisively refuse, Aaron was shocked to discover—
On the third page of the "Banned Books Borrowing Record", words appeared!