Type-Moon: Does even a sneak peek make it official?

The air of Alexandria carried a hint of dust, and the central plaza bustled with streams of people coming and going.

But all of that changed the moment a silver-haired youth appeared. The atmosphere instantly became lively. Passersby paused in small groups, gathering around him, forming a loose semicircle with him at the center.

…What's with this atmosphere…

"Everyone, best not to crowd around like this. Someone might get hurt."

The 'youth's' words were unexpectedly effective. The crowd dispersed without complaint, though the plaza remained abuzz with excitement.

Not that I have the right to complain anyway.

With that thought, 'Novia' began a strategic retreat, steadily putting distance between herself and the others. Unlike usual, it seemed she was intent on leaving.

It was baffling how Novia could so easily draw in ordinary people with nothing but words. In just over ten days, he'd reshaped the entire atmosphere of this city.

Disguised with magecraft to look like Novia, Shiali quietly cast a glance at the lively crowd in the plaza behind her.

It had been five days since their return from the sunken Library of Alexandria. Since Novia had yet to wake, Shiali had decided to wait until he did before reporting their rediscovery of the forgotten artifact to the Atlas Institute.

She also remembered how Novia had made a habit of wandering the city daily. Not wanting to raise suspicion or trouble for him, she had gone out in his likeness.

Those past few days… were mostly filled with encounters she'd rather forget. Though she had observed this city before, experiencing it firsthand was entirely different.

The memories acquired through Ether Lines lacked the subtle warmth of genuine human contact. Here, under this blazing sun, what she felt wasn't just the heat of the climate—but the warmth of people themselves.

The liveliness, the thick, almost tangible atmosphere of joy—it was unlike anything else.

"Here… this is for you, sir."

Pulled from her thoughts, Shiali looked down to see a woman holding something out to her. She recognized her—it was the mother of that little boy from five days ago.

"…Alright."

Shiali accepted the handmade food, feeling the woman's expectant gaze on her. Helplessly, she took a cautious bite.

"Ah, apologies, sir… My child and I spent days making this. It may not suit your refined tastes…"

To be fair, based on appearance alone, it looked… unappetizing. The taste was plain—simple to the point of being forgettable. But seeing the woman's weary, travel-worn face, understanding how far she'd come and how much hardship she'd endured just to deliver this small token…

"No… It's delicious. Truly. I like it very much."

That was all Shiali managed to say. She couldn't come up with anything cleverer. But even so, she was sure her sincerity got through.

Was learning magecraft meant to escape the fate of being just an ordinary person? Or… was it meant to help ordinary people?

She didn't know. She only knew the research was necessary to prevent the end of the world.

The current Director of the Atlas Institute had once told her:

"You are a transparent vessel that extracts others' memories. You cannot perceive the ugliness within them, nor can you resist the urge to keep extracting. That's how your life has progressed step by step to this point. You may be the undisputed successor to the Institute, but… I worry for your future."

The Director was… largely correct. Shiali thought so too. Her observation of Novia was never out of simple curiosity—it was merely to extract his memories via Ether Lines at an opportune moment. Her ability made that a perfectly reasonable course of action. No need for doubt.

But there was one thing the Director had gotten wrong: her future would be fine. Absolutely fine. There was no room for doubt in that.

The candidate to succeed the Atlas Institute had always believed that.

---

"Congratulations. You finally woke up—after five days."

Back at the Alexandria lighthouse, the girl dispelled her disguise. Her violet hair fluttered in the sea breeze.

Novia, freshly awakened for reasons unknown, gazed at her. In his Mediterranean-blue eyes, the clear sky and the girl before him reflected vividly.

"Thank you… for taking care of me these past few days."

"It's nothing. Though we formed a temporary contract to explore the Library of Alexandria, your contributions far outweighed mine. Naturally, looking after you was my duty."

Shiali spoke flatly. Her purple braids swayed in the lighthouse's shadow, the movement so precise it almost seemed geometric.

"Since you're awake, I'll contact the Atlas Institute now. We'll begin recovery of the sunken Library. As for your contributions—aside from the matter of the divine corpse, Osiris—I'll report everything truthfully."

"You're only contacting them now? I assumed you'd reported everything right after we returned. Why wait for me to wake up?"

Novia frowned in confusion. He had thought that after five days, Shiali would've sent all the information to the Institute long ago.

"A contract makes us allies. Even if temporary, I'm obligated to prioritize your survival. Besides, I already control the Library's systems. It's not going anywhere." Shiali paused for a few seconds, her cute brows furrowing slightly. "And rest assured… I did not extract your knowledge via Ether Lines while you were unconscious."

"…Good. Thanks."

"Mm."

The conversation ended there, settling into silence.

Novia listened to the ebb and flow of the distant waves. He watched the rhythm of the sea, rising and falling. The upright masts far off in the Mediterranean breeze swayed faintly.

It was then he overheard Shiali communicating with someone from the Atlas Institute—likely a relative.

"Director, I've written the full situation in my report. You can read it. No need to waste Institute resources on long-range communications—it's too costly."

The girl's voice was cold, businesslike.

"Hah… It's just some Pharaoh's ruins. Forget that. Tell me this instead—the Institute's rules: gallivanting off for half a year without monthly reports… how exactly do you plan to explain that? Hm? Enlighten me."

"I've been granted the rank and authority of an Instructor! In any case, whether it was my decision or not has nothing to do with you. Even if you're my foster father, you have no right to interfere."

"…Hmph."

Seeing the girl's sudden deviation from her usual robotic demeanor, Novia nodded to himself. Even for a magus, this was what passed for… normal human interaction.

Noticing the silver-haired youth's expression, Shiali seemed to realize her own slip-up. She coughed lightly, forcing herself back to her usual tone.

"Apologies. It turns out the ruins weren't the original target—Pharaoh Cleopatra's ruins—but rather the sunken Library of Alexandria, jointly constructed by an Atlas Branch and Pharaoh Ptolemy. I conquered it alongside another magus. Full details are in my report."

"Hold on!" The Director, seemingly hearing an earth-shattering revelation, shouted, "You're telling me—you didn't secure that place alone? You—formed a contract—without using Ether Lines for mind-reading—and achieved this through proper collaboration?!"

"Yes."

Though puzzled by the Director's strange excitement, Shiali answered earnestly.

"Good… Good! Excellent! Bring that person to the Atlas Institute immediately! I must meet the one who's been such a help to our Institute!"