Ascension of the Sylvan Cosmos - Volume 1

Chapter 165. Researching [Ternary Cores].

Even while Verdantia felt quite nervous, she acted as if she didn't know what Eila Neoflora was talking about before. "Teacher Eila, I wanted to ask about the <Ternary Cores>."

Eila kept looking through the window as she listened. "Go on."

The Life Sylvan was confused about this reaction. She thought that Eila would ask why, but instead, she told her to go on. So, Verdantia continued. "Hm... I feel like I would clear the conditions for a <Ternary Core> before Level 25. So, I am asking if there are any methods to create them without the help of the <Second Energy Cycle> process."

Eila hummed. "I see." She turned to look at Verdantia closely and commented. "How is Verena doing lately?"

Verdantia blinked and answered, confused. "She is doing great from all I know. Why?"

Eila smiled faintly. "Just asking, making a bit of conversation. Why are you acting so defensive?"

Verdantia coughed and was about to refute the accusation of defensive behavior, but she stopped. 'If I defend that, I will be truly acting defensive.'

Instead, she said. "Teacher Eila never asked before, so I was curious... What's wrong since a while ago? Teacher Eila has been acting a bit strange."

Eila hummed. "Acting strange..." She pondered and looked out of the window again. Then, she sighed. "Okay, let's get this straight. Miss Verdantia..." Verdantia straightened, her heart beating fast, and Eila continued. "Where are those books you've taken?"

Verdantia blinked twice, and suddenly, she realized that she had been mistaken. 'Wait, she wants me to confess about the books!?'

Eila sighed. "You are an exemplary student. One of the best. However, stealing books from the library will leave a small stain on your otherwise impeccable behavior. I can't graduate you with the highest honors if you don't return the books."

Verdantia stuttered while feeling slightly ashamed that the woman before her was worried about her graduation while she was plotting the demise of Fortuna. "Um, those books... I can't really bring them back soon. I lent them to a friend, and until the near future, she is not close, so she can't really give them back."

Eila hummed. "Well, you still have around a year until you graduate. I guess that should be enough to give the books back."

Verdantia nodded. Eila then stood up from her chair and walked to the side, searching through a few books on the shelves at the sides. She muttered. "Where was this one... I swear that I left it around here..."

Verdantia waited patiently until Eila spoke. "Aha. Here it is." She picked a relatively thin book and returned to the table. Sitting on the chair, she spoke. "Here it is. You can read it here if you want."

Verdantia blinked. "I can't take it..." However, she quickly shut up when she saw Eila's gaze. "Ahem. Okay, I can't."

Eila rolled her eyes and looked outside of the window. "Not until you and Miss Cinderielle return those books."

Verdantia's lips twitched. 'She even knows about Cinderielle being involved... Wait.' Verdantia blinked. 'If she has looked into it personally that much, wouldn't she also know which books I have taken? All the World Tree and City Building related books... Once Golden Sap Town is revealed, Eila could easily piece together the clues and realize my involvement. She's smart enough to connect the dots, and if she does, everything could unravel.'

Verdantia thought about it hard while looking at the book. Eila commented. "You can go to the library if you feel uncomfortable here."

Verdantia snapped out of her thoughts and smiled. "I prefer being here. If there is something I can't understand, I can ask Teacher Eila. I will move to the corner so as not to bother you."