Chapter 18: S(c-3)-16

  In the northwest er of the entire library, behind the books reted to human physiology, there ace dedicated to history books. The upper shelves held tless war-reted volumes, their bindings worn from years of tless hand’s touch. While not much is known about all epochs, thanks to the tributions of UG and rare visitors from other tis, the Freya ti does have access to knowledge that would otherwise be impossible to obtaio the almost impossible sea travel and long history of this world.

  "The old man said he doesn't have many books on onry, but still, this is a pretty det colle," rad said while examining the t shelves.

  The st of old papers and some dust that was yet to be ed remind rad of his previous life when he was studying engineering.

  "Let's see..." rad was going through the limited books one by one.

  My primary goal for ing here is to find out how far bat teologies have advanced and evolved in this world. So I figure out how people normally fight to apply my first principle of bat - uainty and surprise.

  Although I know in a fight between Essentia it will probably not help much, I wonder what the limit of supernatural powers is. For example, if I were to use a nuke, could an Essentia fight against that? I find that hard to believe. Even though this world—no, this try—seems to have some modern teology here and there, most things are pretty Victorian era pared to our world. Steam-powered carriages share roads with horse-drawn ones, aric lights illumireets where gas mps still burn, LED and dles are being used side by side in this fasating world.

  I need Anira's help and training to bee stronger, so I always ask her, but as her master, asking everything of her just doesn't suit me. Besides, some knowledge is better acquired firsthand.

  "Let's see..."

  rad started to gh each book's title, his fingers crossing along the spines:

  'History of Aurelius'...

  'Aurelius as a part of UG'...

  'Geo-'...

  These are good books, but I need some—

  "What's this? 'Resear rategies of War by T. Scott.' This sounds iing."

  The book was not as thick as pared to others and its style of paper revealed it's a ret publication perhaps.

  From rad's memories, I know swords are seen as promi ons along with arrows for le and other things, but why this world doesn't use firearms—that uzzling to me. It seems like most people don't care about that stuff, especially the inal rad, who was more ied in gambling than military history.

  As rad was thinking, he flipped through various chapters describing the art of war and strategies. The pages rustled softly in the quiet library, occasional footsteps from others filled the silence of the glowing library.

  This is some good research. The author seems to be from Sternfall; he has described i detail how he personally led a battle against some Tempa kingdom which was having illegal activities. This is good but irrelevant to me... Wait, what is this...

  rad's hands stopped at a particur chapter named "Neons and Possibilities." rad's eyes narrowed a bit as he started to read:

  [......]

  Firearms uns are a special type of le on capable of pierg through any armor if fired correctly, but trolling one is very hard. These teiques are retively old and had been used in various battles recorded by UG, but the main problem with these ons was always dey in firing or, in the worst case, not being able to fire at all while others could easily take you out. Almost in all battles where firearms were used, they lost that battle. Even though there are myths and legends about these ons being used by many great leaders in history, historical and archaeological records tradict that heavily.

  Intellx's Research team has retly suggested reusing these ons, but for improved bustion speed and much wider range firing, a theoretical element named S(C-3)-16 has been suggested. Acc to their research, this element has a vital role in the field of biochemistry but usually be found in nature inside a hard crystal which 't be separated from the elements with current knowledge in this field. Due to UG's ck of i, the research has limited funding, but it is highly specuted that in one year we might find a solution.

  [.....]

  rad read the ehing with great focus, his engineering mind already w through the implications.

  From what I uand, firearms have been ied in this world but are very ineffit in wars due te and speed of firing, but why? The answer has to be in the basic chemistry.

  I have studied chemistry as part of the engineering curriculum. I was not very good at it, but I at least recall all the basics. If I remember correctly, gunpowders are mainly made out of saltpeter, charcoal, and sulfur. Does potassium in this world? No, that 't be—there are many things I have already e across that use potassium... charcoal I have seen before...

  Firearms... speed... bustion...

  Suddenly rad's mind clicked with a solution, the puzzle started to plete in his mind.

  Oh yes, the speed of bustion is depe on the sulfur. Even if potassium nitrate ighe 10% sulfur is highly required to actually acquire the speed of firing. Yes, that makes a lot of sense. So this S(C-3)-16 is basically sulfur. But I 't be sure—I o verify that. The problem is how...

  Should I take a visit to Intellex? But what reason is there for me to go there? I o vince my sisters, and there are financial problems. I don't have much money ohis fug rad is so fug broke. I 't do this all alone.

  I need a partner who I be open with... wait, don't I have a partner? In fact, an immortal partner for life. My memories really are all over the pce.

  rad mpooned himself for his scattered thoughts, running a hand through his hair in frustration.

  After spending the entire m, rad retty satisfied with all the knowledge he was able to gather about this new world. He leaned ba his chair, processing everything he'd learned.

  This world is amazing. It has almost twice as much history as my previous world but is still a little behind in teology due to all the tis being unknown to everyoo this day. What I find fasating is that almost everywhere, the role of UG is vital for this world as sea travel is impossible. There is a book called 'The Mystery of ere,' but I am not sure how many things are true. Schors in this world talked about the sea and o as if it is infinite and beyond logic. I am fused about how this p works actually. People seemed to know about stars, moons, and ps but not the sea. I o figure out this world slowly, or my mind will get overwhelmed.

  rad stood up and bid his farewell to the old man, who was still reading a brown-covered book. rad was curious, and before he left, he asked, "Sir, what are you reading?"

  The old man looked up and gave him a smile, his weathered face creasing with genuine warmth. "It's Qubile, the holy text of Aaka. It is written in Polyphant, so it's a bit hard to read, but acc to the holy text, the almighty did create everything that we are seeing."

  Oh sir, you are preag these things to the wrong person, but okay, sure—'the supposed almighty' you believe in must be a good person to create everything and still let us live with reed and selfish desires without just erasing us.

  rad ughed inwardly at his own remark, though he kept his face respectfully ral.

  As rad stepped out of the library, the afternoon sun cast long shadows across the cobblestoreets. Horse-drawn carriages shared the road with occasional steam-powered vehicles—a testament to Aurelius's unique blend of old ahe thought of Cra waiting made him qui his pace. Despite the inal rad's negligence, he felt a deep responsibility to protect his sister.

  At the front gate of Church school, 2:30 PM.

  The prestigious Church school stood at the interse of two worlds—the sanctified grounds ious education and the grey territory trolled by local gangs. Its old architecture, plete with t spires and stained gss windows, offered little prote against the harsh realities of Prismara's underbelly.

  "Maya, when will your sister e? Or are you pnning to return by yourself?" Cra asked her best friend, on her hand, a book about literature.

  "Oh e on, Cra, we are adults now. You actually treat us like little girls all the time. I go by myself now." Maya's fident tone couldn't pletely hide her appreciation for her friend's .

  "Yeah, yeah, I know, Ms. All Grown Up." Cra's voice carried a hint of pyful mockery.

  "Hey, take me seriously now!" Maya pulled Cra's arms, causing both girls to ugh.

  "By the way, you usually go home alone. Why are you waiting today?" Maya asked, her eyes anticipating something from her best friend.

  "N-nothing," Cra hesitated while looking around, her gaze sing the street hopefully.

  "Is your brother ing?" Maya asked with barely taihusiasm.

  "Maybe..." Cra wasn't sure, given all the previous records of her brother and his gambling habits. Though tely, something about him had ged—something she couldn't quite put her finger on.

  Where are you, idiot? I am waiting.

  She was getting worried herself, unsciously tightening her grip on her books.

  "Hey, look at him. He actually studied with us, but doesn't he look like some prince from other pces?"

  Cra looked in the dire her friend ointing. A boy of their age with short hair, ly styled with moders and a touch of some chestnut patterns, was walking alone.

  He was wearing a typical middle-css outfit—a pressed white shirt under a navy vest, matched with well-fitted trousers. In his arms were two books reted to theology: "Church Principles" and "Interpretations of Aaka."

  He looks kind of like my brother but less handsome, of course.

  The thought brought a mix of pride and worry—pride in her brother's natural good looks, worry about his ret strange behavior. Ever sihat day, rad seemed... different. More focused, less reckless, but somehow more easy to rely on.

  Sensing two girls' gaze, the boy looked at Cra.

  Ah shit, he looked this way. He must be thinking we are some kind of perverts ogling him. It's all Maya's fault.

  Cra looked at her best friend, who was still looking at the boy with a mischievous smile. Cra facepalmed herself. Seeing Maya's wide smile, the boy quied his pace to ast the two girls, but while passing, he stole a g Cra. Cra was busy her friend, so she didn't notice.

  "Maya, I told yo—"

  "Sister, you're here finally! I was waiting!" Before Cra finished, Maya called out to someone who had just arrived in a small car.

  A dark-eyed, medium-stature girl with hair ly tied behind her back was standing before the two girls. Nadeko Kazuma, top scorer of National Aurelius uy’s history department and her rather obvious infatuation with the historical figure Alexander Gustavo.

  "Yes, the css was too long, so it took some time to reach here. Oh, Cra, how are you?" Nadeko asked after bidding a good bye to some boy in the car.

  Cra looked at the beautiful girl in front of her and replied, "Sister Nadeko, are you going to leave right now?"

  "I told you to just call me Nadeko..."

  "Yes, Nadeko."

  "No, not now. Actually, I nning to visit the museum. I heard there was some uff reted to Alexander Gustavo, and you know I want to see it. Maybe it has his diary or something. I might find out what kind of girl he liked," Nadeko said without stopping, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

  The er of Cra's mouth twitched a little.

  I see the simirity iwo sisters. Their passionate focus on their is is almost identical.

  "Why don't you join us, Cra?" Maya asked, seeing an opportunity to include her friend.

  "Who? Me? But..." Cra looked at the street where a few carriages passed by, still hoping to catch a glimpse of her brother.

  Maya saw her friend's struggle and suggested, "Nadeko, let's wait a couple of minutes. One more person will join us."

  "Huh? Who?" Nadeko asked, curiosity piqued.

  "Well..." Maya was about to say something when Cra interrupted.

  "My big brother."

  Nadeko was taken aback by the revetion, her schorly posure momentarily broken.

  "You never mentioned you have a brother. I know you have big sisters, but now a brother?"

  Cra didn't say much, her silence speaking volumes about the plicated retionship with her sibling.

  Nadeko felt a pin her side. It was from Maya. Maya gave Nadeko a look not to ask any further, uanding the sensitivity of the topic.

  Nadeko looked at Cra and added, trying to lighten the mood, "Well, I don't have any problem. More the merrier."

  As the three girls were talking, Nadeko felt someone behihe acrid smell of cheap liquor could be smelled in his words.

  "Excuse me, miss. Why don't we get a coffee or something?" The man's weathered scarred fad expe poorly maintained clothes marked him as one of the gang members that trolled this area.

  "Not ied," Nadeko replied firmly, her academifidence showing through.

  "Oh, ag hard to get?" A man in his thirties gave a mog remark with a smirk that had intimidated many before.

  "This is a church. Please don't disturb the peace here—" As Nadeko spoke, she felt her hands being grabbed by the man in front of her.

  "Oh, the church. Do you even know who I am? This pce is trolled by our boss. What would these bunch of devotees do to me? e closer so I show you—" The man was about to pull Nadeko in his arms when he felt a kick to his groin. It was from Cra, who was infuriated, ag on instinct before her fear could paralyze her.

  She didn't like men to begin with, so she couldn't bear to see such things happen to anyone.

  "How dare you, you filthy pig! Take your hands off Sister Nadeko!"

  "You little bitch," the man growled, his face torted with rage.

  Sp!

  Cra felt a hard sp across her face. The sound echoed in the suddenly silent street. It instantly reddened her white cheeks, the pain bringing back her fear of men. She had seen tless men harassing her sisters when she was little while her brother hid himself somewhere until Leona became a national Guard, it was that way for a while. It had a deep impa her mind while her hatred grew for her brother.

  Even through tless fights with her brother, he had never lifted a finger against her. Deep down, Cra was afraid of men. Violence made her feel small, helpless, like that terrified ten-year-old girl again.

  "What happened, bitch? You were saying something? Where did all that energy go?" The man's voice carried the same mog tone.

  "Cra!" Nadeko and Maya shouted, their voices seeming to e from far away.

  People started to gather around, f a circle of passive observers. The church school was in a pce where many gangs ran their business. National guards or local Prismara police usually avoided this area, knowier than to interfere with gang politics.

  I am afraid. I don't like it. Please, someone...

  Cra's body felt cold, her legs tremblih her uniform skirt. All she wanted was to run away as far as possible. She felt the world closing in, unsafe and threatening. Then, cutting through her panic like a bde through silk, she heard a familiar voice—a young man's voice that carried both warmth and steel.

  "Cra?"

  The gathered crowd parted, revealing rad standing there. But something was different about him. His usual carefree demeanor was gone, repced by something else—something dangerous. His blue eyes, normally warm and pyful, now held a ess like an uain o.

  The air itself seemed to ge, growing heavy with tension. In that moment, Cra realized that while this was definitely her brother, something fual had shifted. The gambling good-for-nothing was gone, repced by someone who radiated quiet, lethal petence.

  This wasn't just rad anymore—this was someone who uood violence more than anyone.