"A-a-ah…" Cid yawned and leaned back on his chair.

He was currently entering the Midgar's capital on the carriage that Gamma once again provided him with (after caressing his hand and blushing like tomato).

After receiving the letter he had to think on what to do now. On one hand, he could agree with office decision and just drop out of the academy. The pros are obvious: the time that would be spent on sitting on lessons would be freed towards anything that he wants to do, be it magic research, roleplaying, and much, much more.

However, it would bring some problems: the most obvious is losing his status as Dark Knight student, and consequently, losing connections with princesses. Alexia would probably still talk with him, but Iris will be disappointed… not like he cared about that, anyway. That's pretty much all: Dark Knights are respected and all, but there are plenty non-warrior noble families in Midgar that taken other fields. Well, yeah, who would feed all the fighter families if everyone is a fighter? Go back to hunting like therianthrope clans?

On the other hand, he could somehow convince the board to not expel him. It would be hard to do as a normal mob, though… And the pros are not that much goood, anyway, since he could try to be a mob in any other field… Pianist by the day, or a guard?

Overall, the problem was simple: do the benefits of being a student outweigh the benefits that would come with free time he could use on any field he deems interesting?

Well, there was one point that mattered for him more than any other he said before…

Alexia.

His girlfriend. Previously fake, now real, and that doesn't even know he managed to marry seven women while she wasn't looking.

…You know, when it's said like that, it makes him look like a scoundrel? In his defense, the relationship he had with Shades were going for far longer than whatever stuff he had with Alexia.

…That sounds like an excuse. Eh, to hell with it.

Anyway, Alexia. Despite not having such strong feelings for her as he has for Shades (romantic) or his sister (like annoyed brother that still cherishes his clingy sis), she was still someone of importance for him. He wouldn't risk his life for her, but being with her brought that interesting sense of mobness and normalcy, if you get what he means. Funny, considering she's bona fide princess, and low-level noble like shouldn't even be able to have these kinds of relationship with her, but she really kinda doesn't compare to Demon of Destruction, Ancient Vampire, ruling members of worldwide organization, Tyrant Queen…

She's just a normal girl that just happens to be a princess and just wants to have a good life. That's all.

She's also his heroine candidate №1, and despite having the number 'one', she's the only one who didn't get any progress or update since he chosen her as so. Rose became Tyrant Queen and restructured her kingdom (or queendom now?), Annerose got enlightment from his actions and now waits for their next meeting, Nishimura is somewhere in another world doing stuff after a course of training from enigmatic Sensei…

Alexia got nothing other than some encouragement words from her boyfriend and her future rival. Kinda sucks, if you ask him. Now, what can he do to make up for that?…

Wait, he was talking about academy, right?

Right, he will give Alexia a visit after having a talk with the director.

And then he will give her the souvenir, the necklace from magma. Come to think of it, he forgot to give Claire the bracelet, right?…

"Ah, mister Kagenou, please come in," the tall old man in office chair said cordially.

"Excuse me for intervention…" Cid mumbled back.

"Pay it no mind, mister Kagenou…" old man sighed and took out a bunch of papers, "Now, could you please elaborate on your absence and unsatisfactory grades?"

"Absence…" oh, here it is, "Documents from Mitsugoshi that explain the reason, sir."

"Oh, I see… However, even though having ties wish such a reputably company is important, it is no less important to focus on your studies, mister Kagenou," director chided him.

"Yeah, yeah…" Cid suddenly realized something, "Wait, head librarian?…"

"Oh my, and here I wondered when will you realize that it's not director you are talking to…" old man chuckled, "Director is currently absent, and I replace him. Now, mister Kagenou, even though Mitsugoshi covers your absence with valid reasons, it does not cover all of your missed lessons, moreover, bad grades. What do we do with that?"

'What do we do, indeed…'

It looped back onto the question if he even needs the academy. The only real benefit of being a student is Alexia and the time he could spend with her to make sure she grows into actual heroine… Everything else is just a hindrance, and Hams already drilled him enough about wasted time. What to do, what to do…

"Say, mister Kagenou…" librarian tapped on the table, "As I can see, you do not need the academy that much, not the Dark Knight part for sure… So I have a proposal for you, while director doesn't' see."

"I am listening?"

"You do know that other than Dark Knight courses we also have connection with Academy of Science of Midgar, correct?" upon receiving a nod old man continued, "I have long noticed that the only reason you stayed in the higher tiers of training is because of your connections with princess Alexia… Yes, mister Kagenou, it was that easy to see. As I was saying…" old man leaned in, "You do not give enough effort in pursuing sword path, and so my proposal is simple: considering how much you invested in path of brains, if these papers are to believed," nod towards the Mitsugoshi's documents, "I can arrange your entrance into Academy of Science instead."

"But as I heard, the schedule there is even more tight than in Dark Knights?" Cid cocked his head. He wouldn't want to lose so much precious time…

"…Ah, so that's the problem you have…" librarian leaned back on his chair.

Silence permeated the air.

Truth to be told, if it wasn't for such a tight schedule, Cid wouldn't mind going into science branch instead. It would be even easier to play mob there than here, because they mostly checked theoretical knowledge as far as he is aware, which means tests, writing, and other stuff that is way easier to scheme with to stay on average.

Unfortunately, requirements for this were also much higher, and he didn't want to waste even more time…

Hmm, come to think of it, what is this that seems to take his attention below the academy?

"Can I ask you a quick question before we proceed with a problem of my student status?"

"Sure, I guess," librarian nodded.

"What is below the academy?"

Old man stiffened.

"What do you mean, below? There's nothing below the academy."

"Nothing, you say?…" Cid concentrated, "Absolutely no suspicious ancient places that hold something back?" he decided to shoot in the sky.

And seeing how librarian flinched, he actually shot something!

"…My boy, listen…" he bit his lip, "There are things in this world that you're not meant to see. There are forces you're not supposed to go against. And you better be wise about whether or not you would want to incur their wrath on yourself. Please, listen to the old man: abandon your pursuit of the truth. Simply forget about it. It's not worth it unless you have a power to back yourself up."

"Speaking from experience, huh?"

"Indeed. I have tried to… to be a just person. Now, I am stuck here, with books. So, please, Cid Kagenou… Don't be like me. You could achieve so much more, given time. Use it. I am old man, on my last legs… You are still young and full of lifeforce. Use it wisely and live your life happily. Don't mess with it, at least for my sake…"

"It's Cult of Diablos, isn't it?" Cid sighed.

Seriously, why is everyone afraid of these losers?

"…I am so sorry, my boy. If only you did not say it, maybe I could let you live until you grow enough…" librarian slowly took his sword with a look of pity. "I wonder what your last thought about that are…"

'I finally found an idea! I will just ask this guy to give me some kind of paper that confirms that I can attend Academy freely and skip any lessons I deem unnecessary! Of course, Director himself may be suspicious about that, but eh, who cares!'

Cid stood up in excitement.

"Hmm? Something funny, my boy?"

"Can you, please, give me a document about free attendance considering that I am working with Mitsugoshi?"

"Free attendance?… I don't know what you are talking about, mister Kagenou; there was never a concept like that…" old man sighed, "But if that is your death wish, I will have to fulfill it… You will be the first person ever in Midgar Academy history with free attendance. I guess that is an achievement on its own…"

Cid patiently waited until old man finished signing the papers.

"As I said… Such a thing as 'free attendance' was never in the rules… But I guess the dead person would not need it, anyway… Now, do you wish to see the underground facility before your death?"

"Hmm?" Cid was taken aback.

"You are very calm in the face of your death, and I admire that, mister Kagenou. I hope I can show what you were trying to see, even just to make your last moments more memorable."

"…Sure, I guess."

"Follow me, then."

"Say, mister librarian, what made you come into contact with Cult?"

"Cult… Back then, I was just like you. Young, hot-blooded, full of justice… And then I went to the wrong place. I guessed correctly that Church was affiliated with Cult of Diablos, however they already expected me there… I got into trap, my squad was killed, and my hands…" he slowly revealed the scars, "My hands were cut off. They healed them back, but I was never able to reach the peak of my strength ever again. A broken sword, that what I became."

"Hmm…" Cid hummed.

"And we are here."

A large ancient iron door stood in front of them. Librarian slowly came closer and whispered something. Door responded and opened with a creak.

"This is the underground facility. This is the place you sought for. Are you happy, my boy?" old man turned to him.

"Indeed, I am."

Now he finally realized what was that he felt. The presence really reminds him of Violet! And Violet is Aurora, which is Diablos, which was severed into parts of her body and sealed in various places!

That's what it is!

"I see… You really are happy, huh…"

"Now, any last wish?"

"Now, any last wish-? Mister Kagenou, these are my words. You don't think you can fight back against me, especially with…" white fog slowly seeped through ventilation, "this?"

Cid studied it in curiosity. It's somewhat similar to that barrier back from attack on academy, but completely different at the same time. How interesting…

"…I see. So you came prepared."

"Say, old man, wanna see cool swordsmanship?" Cid slowly morphed the slime sword in his hand. First time he actually uses the slime sword since upgrade, by the way; before that it was threads.

And now it gave out a cool violet glow!

"Hmm?" librarian squinted, "This guise… seems familiar… Don't tell me!"

Slime suit slowly morphed into Shadow's attire.

"Shadow… So that's why you were in the academy… You targeted the arm of Diablos," librarian studied his opponent, "But to think, you were hiding yourself as average student… I expected no less from faction that went against Cult."

"Thank you for your compliment. And if I am being honest, you were one of the better people I have interacted with. Now…" a sluggish move, "Farewell."

And… nothing happened.

"Hah…? Ah, that was a warm-up, huh… Can you tell me, then, why would you need a free attendance document?"

"I don't want to waste so much time in the academy, but student status is too good to pass for. This is an acceptable medium ground," Cid answered honestly.

"I see…"

Cid slowly concentrated on the feeling of Violet's (or rather, her hand's) lifeforce. Judging by the signature, it's a bit below this level? Good, good.

He slowly picked up the pace and went to the staircase.

"Hmm?"

"What?"

"Not even gonna do anything? You said you would show me the peak of swordsmanship."

"Yeah, I did."

"Then-"

Shadow interrupted librarian by raising his hand.

"I have already shown it."

"You don't want to say that amateur move was the peak of swordsmanship, now do you?" librarian's lips quivered as he pointed his sword at Shadow.

"You are already dead."

"…What?" old man cocked his head.

In the next moment, Head Librarian's body suddenly exploded.

Cid's lips formed a smile.

"Hams, Todd, you recorded that? Man, always wanted to do that one."

Poor librarian dude… I mean, it's not like he got better exposition in canon considering he appeared for 1/3rd of a chapter, but at least in canon he got a cool sword battle. Here he got "Omae Wa Mou Shindeiru" instead…

Smol Violet is on the horizon. And Alexia.