Infinite Cube: Extra's Life in Another World-Chapter 50: Grand Announcement [1]

Kai hadn't received any visitors throughout the day, and since Eve had gone to meet the demoness, he hadn't undergone any training either.

He was, in all honesty, grateful for the peaceful days amidst the surrounding chaos.

Aside from his phone call with Cassie and Ren and his routine missions, he didn't do much other than lounge around, watching videos and anime while snacking.

Though Legion insisted that the content he consumed lacked sufficient explicitness.

The day passed by in a blur, and Kai eventually departed from his residence four hours before the grand meeting.

The reason for his early departure was that he intended to visit the library prior to attending the gathering, as he needed to study alchemy to assist Neko-sensei and also search for a book on dungeon raids.

Additionally, he needed to secure a good spot in the league room before the meeting commenced.

Donning his uniform and equipping both his earring and Zero Suit's watch, he left the house.

Glancing at his phone, he noticed a missed call from Lilith, who was also planning to visit the library.

'I hope she isn't stalking me.'

[She most certainly is.]

'It's better than letting my lower half lead me.'

[Don't forget, you still have an appointment with Anica. She called this morning to meet before the conference.]

'It most definitely has to do with me postponing our duel.'

[That's most likely the case.]

'Don't worry, Legion. Sometimes strength surpasses intellect.'

[Stop trying to boost his ego, Kai.]

'But isn't it true?'

Kai looked up at the towering skyscraper that housed the library, sighed, and proceeded inside.

'Let's get a book or two,' he thought walking into the building.

------

"Good day, young sir."

Kai's eyes landed on the robotic librarian, and he instinctively bowed before entering.

The library was massive. Bookshelves stood like walls, stretching so high they nearly touched the ceiling. Each section was divided by long aisles, and every segment had its own purpose—history, spells, lost languages, and more.

Wooden ladders rolled along the shelves, and spiral staircases connected upper levels where more books waited. It felt like the whole building was made of books, stacked and sorted into a giant maze of knowledge.

Strolling toward the final shelf to the left, Kai approached a human librarian who was engrossed in a very peculiar book titled—Anatomy of Mages.

The book's title and cover were rather enticing, though it also gave off the unsettling vibe of being suited for a psychopathic killer.

The man raised his head and met Kai's gaze; his neutral expression quickly turned joyful at the sight of a student interested in the book he was reading.

"Have you read it before?" he asked, his tone filled with enthusiasm.

Kai shook his head. "No, but the title intrigued me."

The man nodded in approval. "I understand. Youngsters don't recognize the true value of books these days, they prefer videos that simplify everything rather than engaging in actual reading."

'I think that's the norm across all worlds.'

The man placed his book on the white table before him and stood up. "So, what kind of book are you seeking? History? Alchemy? Or simply literature?"

"One on alchemy, one on dungeons, and another that you personally recommend."

The man walked toward the third shelf, smiling. "I've got just the thing. I'll bring the finest selections for a discerning individual like yourself."

"Please, nothing too complex," Kai called out.

"Oh, don't be so modest. I can tell you're a distinguished young man."

Kai considered retorting but chose silence. He appreciated the eccentric man's assistance and didn't want to disrupt his enthusiasm.

Moreover, he couldn't help but notice that during their conversation, the man never judged him for wearing a commoner's badge, instead, he welcomed him simply for his interest in books.

"Here, take this," the man said, handing Kai a book resembling a grimoire. "This should cover everything on alchemy."

Kai nodded, accepting the large tome titled—Alchemy by Archmage Tar.

They proceeded to the next section, and almost instantly, the man's eyes locked onto an even larger book. He reached out, struggling slightly to pull the heavy volume from the shelf.

Kai immediately deduced that the man wasn't awakened.

The World Beyond the Dungeons and Eclipse. Those were the other two books the man handed over.

"See you again," the man said, waving.

Kai's hands were full, so he simply nodded in return.

Legion commented.

------

Kai made his way to Aiko's café, which was mostly empty. Just like on Thursday, only he and Anica occupied the space.

After greeting Aiko, he ordered a cup of tea and joined Anica, placing the three books on the chair she sat on.

He briefly glanced at the beautiful young woman, absorbed in the book she was reading.

"You're late," she said, lowering the book just enough to see his face.

"My apologies," he replied.

Elia sank deeper into the couch by the east window. "No, I should've visited after your return."

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Kai's gaze met Anica's, whose expression, as always, remained unreadable. "Don't worry about it."

'I doubt either I or Master could've allowed any distractions during training.'

"You have a master, Emperor Eve, right?"

Kai's eyes widened. Knowing Anica, she wasn't one to snoop into others' business, so how did she know?

He scratched his head and asked, "Uhmm... yeah, but how do you know?"

"Huh?" Anica tilted her head. "Don't you know my ability?"

Kai hesitated, unsure if he was supposed to know or if she had mentioned it previously without his noticing.

Anica hadn't been a prominent character in the novel, since she died during the first arc.

And in the original plot, there was nothing like a league, so students weren't aware of their peers' abilities, and the upperclassmen serving in the military didn't even appear—just as they still haven't now.

This meant Anica's older brother also didn't show up until later arcs, where he too died.

'What is it with their family and dying? First the mother, then her, then the brother, and finally the father.'

The reason was clear actually, the Abraham family were originally commoners, and Abel, Anica's father, was the first to awaken in their lineage.

Considering his frequent opposition to the government without any backing, it was only natural that he ended up getting both himself and his family killed.

"No, I don't. You've never told me before. Aside from your father's necromancy, I haven't seen enough of your family's traits to infer any similarities," Kai muttered.

"I see," she whispered.

'What does she mean by, I see?'

"Then let's spar," Anica said firmly.

'So that's where this was headed,' Kai thought.

"I don't see the point in fighting right now, but I promise that tomorrow, after the meeting, we can spar as much as you'd like," Kai said.

Anica frowned skeptically. "And how do I know you won't ditch?"

"My master already instructed me to find a training partner tomorrow, and I was planning to ask you."

That was a lie, but she didn't need to know that.

"Is that so? Then we have a deal," she confirmed.

"Now, will you tell me?" he asked softly.

'I will leave no stone unturned in learning the abilities of every student whether it's a friend or a foe.'

"I have no issue with that..." She paused. "But you have to share yours too."

Kai's eyes widened, but before he could protest, she continued.

"And don't try to scam me. You already promised to duel, so that doesn't count as part of this exchange," she muttered, waving her left index finger.

"Haaah, so that's why you brought up the training?" he asked, covering his face with one hand.

"Oh, that? It's because I know how much of a trickster you are... And I never said anything like; 'I'll tell you if you promise me.' I just said, 'Let's spar.'"

Kai couldn't help but smile. Talking with Anica felt refreshing, perhaps because he didn't know everything about her, or maybe because she wasn't as eccentric as his other female companions.

"You win," Kai admitted. "But you'll have to go first."

Kai couldn't afford to reveal too much or too little, so the amount of information she gave him would determine what he returned, if not less.

Setting down the velvet-red book, Anica spoke. "Just as you said, Song of the Dead uses necromancy."

'Song of the Dead, not dad. He'd probably be heartbroken hearing that,' Kai thought somberly.

"I also possess a Celestial Code—Whisper of the Departed. My trait is called Spirit Formation, an SS-rank trait that allows me to communicate with spirits, use their abilities, and access their innate skills," she explained.

"And what about you? The truth."

Kai paused for a long moment. "Well, my Celestial Code is Weaver of Light, and..."

Kai proceeded to explain his ability to Anica, though he withheld the fact that it was an X-rank trait, instead claiming it to be SS-rank. Her expression shifted slightly at this.

He didn't mention his unique system either, ending his explanation with the basic overview of how he forms abilities with threads.

As he spoke his final words, as if on cue, a loud voice echoed throughout the academy:

TWO HOURS UNTIL THE BEGINNING OF THE GRAND ANNOUNCEMENT. ALL STUDENTS SHOULD BE PREPARED.

Kai's gaze instinctively drifted to the top corner of Aiko's café, though nothing was visible. Still, he continued staring until the announcement ended.

'If what Master was correct, this announcement will be far more troublesome than I initially realized.'