I Became the Academy's Disabled Student-Chapter 237: The power of knowledge

I will begin translating the passage based on the provided guide, maintaining attention to the names, gender, and transliteration, and ensuring the translation remains faithful and close to the original.

He grabbed the collar and brushed it off. The wrinkled clothes from the night before fluttered and neatly straightened out.

The pure white fabric I received on the first day at the Knowledge Tower.

Thanks to its wide cut and billowing shape, it's quite functional, and I still wear it often.

With a swift motion... I draped the separate white cloak that was handed to me over my shoulders.

It seemed like it was designed to be worn together as a set, and wearing them both filled in the missing parts of the outfit.

I removed the arm sleeves. There was no one here to hide a prosthetic arm from, and if my arm were going to burst, arm sleeves wouldn't have made any difference.

"It suits you very well."

As I was flapping my arms after getting dressed, Ariel, who had been standing right in front of me, spoke.

[Does it look too white, though?]

"No, I don't feel any sense of discomfort."

[Hmm...]

I responded while flicking the cuffs, wearing a somewhat strange expression.

I really had no fashion sense, but it was completely different from the days when I only wore black.

My black hair had turned white, and even though my eyes were still closed, they'd turned grey.

The top and bottom were both white. The cloak draped over me was white, and even my magical energy, if I didn't intentionally change its color, was white...

'...I guess it doesn't matter anymore.'

I never particularly liked black.

It was just because stains didn’t show, and when I went outside, I wasn’t easily noticed, so I preferred it.

But now, there were several colors I liked.

Red, yellow, green, blue, and white, among others...

There was no reason to insist on black anymore.

"I was relieved to see that you've managed to shake off your emotions."

As I was examining my clothes, Ariel spoke with a faint smile.

The memory of last night suddenly came to mind, and my face turned red.

Even now, recalling it, it was a happy yet embarrassing memory...

[...It was thanks to your help, Ariel.]

[Your old stories were also really interesting.]

"I'm glad I could help. I was really worried when you were shedding tears like that..."

[I didn’t cry!]

Click! The confession necklace bounced up. A rather high-pitched voice echoed around us.

[I didn’t cry!]

"You didn't cry? Then, the way I saw you yesterday, Ha-Yul, was wrong? I could clearly see the traces under your eyes..."

Ariel's words stopped. Her pure white eyes blinked blankly.

She was staring at the spot under my eyes, but I had slyly covered it with the sky-blue feathers I had raised.

"...Moreover, even now, traces of yesterday are still clearly visible on my own heart..."

[Kyahhh...!]

I grabbed Ariel’s hand as she reached toward my chest, trying to undo the wings of the sky that had extended in front of me.

Ariel tilted her head in confusion.

"Now you’re embarrassed? You’ve been acting all spoiled up until now, haven’t you? Ha-Yul, crying and whining that you didn’t want to part with me, that’s not something to be embarrassed about."

[Okay, okay...]

[Let’s move to the next topic...]

"Yes, understood."

Ariel, who had been teasing me relentlessly, easily relented and shifted topics.

I puffed up my cheeks, showing my displeasure.

Though I knew she was only teasing to cheer me up, I couldn’t help but feel a little frustrated...

[Anyway, thank you so much.]

The frustration melted away as various thoughts bubbled up.

I had received so much at the Knowledge Tower that it was hard to recall it all.

I stepped up and wrapped my arms around Ariel's waist, pressing my face into her embrace, though the front was closed.

[Thank you so much.]

It was around lunchtime now.

Last night, we had stayed up late talking, but I still woke up early.

And I had spent a lot of time receiving the various gifts Ariel had given me.

Just earlier, I had gotten a bit weary of the golems constantly bringing heavy loads, but as I looked at the stacked bags in the spatial storage, my stomach was already full.

"I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help."

Ariel also hugged me tightly and gently patted my head.

Her face, looking down at me from above, seemed to express regret at not being able to help more.

[No, that’s not true. I received so much help, really, thank you.]

"...If that’s the case, I’m a little relieved."

Ariel's face showed a faint smile as she saw me deny her help and shake my head.

"By the way, have you joined any clubs?"

She suddenly asked about clubs.

I tilted my head.

[Huh?]

[Uh... no...?]

"The clubs in Siyoram are focused more on mental health than skill development. Most of them are leisure activities, so if you have some free time, I recommend joining one to relax."

[Ah... Okay.]

[If I have time, I’ll look into it.]

The Siyoram clubs.

It was one of the systems introduced around the second semester.

Some clubs are organized and run directly by the Siyoram headquarters.

There are also clubs organized and operated by the students themselves.

I had thought about joining one, but I didn’t have the time, so I didn't.

'...They said Siyoram was created because of me.'

But after knowing the full story, those words led to many mixed feelings.

Was the reason the clubs were focused on mental health because they knew my mentality was like a flounder?

"Even in the outer zones, there are various facilities. Most of them are restricted, but as a special admission student, you can access them all..."

Ariel continued to advise me.

Since she had been involved in designing Siyoram alongside the Tower Master, she knew the system very well.

Her advice and suggestions were quite helpful.

‘......’

With the time pressing down on my throat, I buried my head in Ariel's embrace and quietly listened to her counsel.

"...I don’t have much more to say. Honestly, Ha-Yul, you've been doing well on your own despite being anxious, so I wonder if I’ve been interfering too much."

[Not at all.]

"I'm glad to hear that."

Once her advice ended, a quiet silence settled in.

In the stillness, where even the golems' creaking could no longer be heard, the only sound was the soft stroke of a hand on my head.

After enjoying the gentle caresses for a while, I firmly breathed out and steeled my resolve.

I couldn’t stay in her embrace forever.

No, to live happily in such an embrace in the future, I had to step back now.

I released my hands from her waist and took two or three steps back.

The warmth of her embrace, her body temperature, and the sound of her heartbeat all faded away.

It was a sensation I wouldn't feel for a while.

Thinking this, I suddenly felt a tickle in my throat and clenched my mouth shut.

[Later.]

Normally, at a time like this, I wouldn't be able to speak, but fortunately, thanks to the confession necklace, I could still talk even with my mouth closed.

I briefly organized the words I wanted to say using the confession necklace.

‘......’

But I couldn't easily spit them out.

[Later...]

I had spent so much time last night thinking about what to say, but when the moment came, my thoughts went blank as if my mind had turned black.

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[Later, let’s meet outside.]

I ended up saying something short and direct.

The Tower holds rights and duties. The duties refer to the responsibilities I have as the Tower Master, and the rights are the powers the Tower Master wields.

Ideally, the rights and duties should be balanced at 50/50, but the five Tower Masters of this world have more duties than rights.

This leads to various restrictions, and situations like mine, where a Tower Master can't leave the Tower, arise.

The reason behind these burdens is the external invasions.

If they can figure out how to put out those flames, the Tower Masters might be able to regain some freedom.

"...Outside."

Ariel, who had been waiting for my words, muttered in surprise as if she hadn't expected that.

At her dazed reaction, I waved my arms as if to explain.

[Yes, outside... Ah, before that, I might re-enter the Knowledge Tower again, but if not... we’ll meet outside next time.]

Will I be able to enter the Knowledge Tower again next time? I’m not sure.

Ariel also couldn’t predict exactly when the next restrictions would lift.

Even if they do lift, I don’t know if I’ll be in a position to enter at that time.

I also didn’t know what I was saying.

I was so flustered... it felt like I was babbling, and my face heated up afterward.

I turned my head and hid my face with the sky-blue wings.

"...Ahaha, yes, I’ll rely on Ha-Yul’s mercy and look forward to it."

Hearing that laugh in my ear, I inadvertently widened my eyes.

It was so small that I could barely hear it with my ear, but it wasn’t my own laugh.

There were only Ariel and me here.

[You just laughed, right?]

"It wasn’t a laugh... No, I didn’t laugh."

[No, I heard you laugh just now.]

"I don’t know about that."

[Hee... I heard it all...!]

As I spun around and asked, Ariel playfully shrugged her shoulders.

She clearly tried to deny it, but I puffed my cheeks in response.

"Ah, did you pout?"

[I'm not pouting.]

"With those cheeks puffed up, it’s hard to believe you."

This time, Ariel clearly chuckled.

I narrowed my eyes, and she confidently walked towards me. I backed away slightly, trying to avoid her.

[Why, why are you coming closer?]

"I have one last gift for you. I should have given it to you earlier, but it took time to coordinate. Here it is."

[Huh?]

Ariel, shrugging her shoulders, came close and handed me a staff that she had been holding.

"This is the staff I used when I was active, the Purification頂花. Its performance is not lacking even in this era, so use it however you wish."

[You used this yourself...? Even if you give this to me...]

"It's fine. I'd prefer it to be used outside rather than gathering dust in the Tower. If you really don't want it, you can sell it."

[I won't sell it! Don’t say that... I’ll cherish it.]

I gasped as I took the staff from her.

It was silver with a blue crystal at the tip.

It was a very simple design, without any decoration or extra features.

It looked almost incomplete, which made me tilt my head for a moment.

The moment I gripped the staff...

It shook slightly, and through the information transmitted to my head, I understood why it looked this way.

‘...Is this a staff or a spear?’

I blinked at the sudden realization.

‘What’s going on with you...?’

As I fiddled with the staff, I was lost in thought when suddenly the Proof of Protection artifact trembled.

I instinctively tilted my head at the vibration, which seemed full of discontent.

"Those words are sweet, but please use it properly. And, also..."

Suddenly, Ariel reached out.

Her slender fingers lifted my bangs, exposing my forehead.

"This is my wish that it will be of even the slightest help to you, Ha-Yul."

[Huh?]

I lowered my head, and she kissed my forehead.

For a moment, the moist, soft sensation on my forehead made my mind stop.

And then...

It clicked back into place.

It was different from before.

The cluttered information was now properly arranged.

It felt like books scattered all over the floor were being neatly placed on a newly bought bookshelf.

My body trembled as the sensation ran through me.

[Eh? Ugh, ugh...?!]

"It’s the power of knowledge. Referring to the previous incident, I’ve tuned it to match Ha-Yul. You can use it and gradually unlock the restrictions as you go."

Amid the sparkling consciousness, I heard Ariel’s whisper.

Although I had just made a farewell, my resolve faltered, and I trembled in Ariel’s embrace for a while.

[Player Affinity System: Affection] Ha-Yul → Ariel Segnis Ternovsia ●●●●●●●○○○(72/100) "Tower Master of Knowledge" "Head of the Magic Council" "Uh? You" "Complicated" "Confusion" "Doubt" "Gratitude"

▽Change▽

Ha-Yul → Ariel Segnis Ternovsia ●●●●●●●○○○(72▷75/100) "Tower Master of Knowledge" "Head of the Magic Council" "Uh? You" "Protector" "Gratitude" "Help"

...

[System Calibration in Progress...]

[Saver Affinity System: Exploration Progress] [Quest "Ariel Segnis Ternovsia" is created]

...

[You are granted some of the power of "Knowledge."] [You are designated as the owner of the high-grade artifact "Purification頂花."]

...

[The Tower Master of Calibration scolds you.] [The Tower Master of Knowledge shrugs.]

...

[Artifact "Proof of Protection" reveals doubts.] [?]

[Artifact "Purification" frowns.] [Outdated...]