"Eh… you’re asking why I’m fine…"
Hearing this question, Nephthys was momentarily taken aback. Then, after hesitating slightly, she spoke.
"About this, I actually found it strange at first too. I clearly read at least two books, yet I didn’t feel any noticeable abnormalities. Or rather, it was precisely because I didn’t feel anything wrong that I started noticing how the others who had read the books were becoming increasingly unusual.”
"At first, I thought there was something special about me that made me immune to the influence of those books. But later, I realized I was wrong. I’m not special—there was something protecting me."
As Nephthys said this, Dorothy frowned slightly.
Then, through Brandon, she asked, "Something was protecting you?"
"This thing right here…"
As she spoke, Nephthys started rummaging through her pocket. After searching for a while, she took out a small handkerchief. Placing it on the table and unfolding it, a pile of broken gold ornaments was revealed—mainly fragments of a delicate gold chain and a shattered pendant.
"This is my family heirloom necklace. I always wore it, but when I was about to finish reading the second book, it suddenly and inexplicably broke into pieces . Then, as I read the final part of the second book, I started to feel a distinct sense of unease. So, I believe this necklace protected me from being corrupted by those books."
The broken chain was nothing special, but the shattered pendant was key. Though broken into only two large pieces, it was easy to reconstruct its original appearance—it seemed to have been an abstract representation of a hawk’s head.
"You said this is your family heirloom necklace. Miss Boyle, does your family have a particularly notable history?" Brandon asked Nephthys, to which she pondered for a moment before replying.
"Something special… actually, yes. According to my father, my grandfather was a tomb raider. He was born in Pritt, lived a wandering life, and eventually ended up in Northern Ufiga. He made his fortune by looting artifacts there, and after accumulating enough wealth, he returned to his hometown in Pritt. He then settled in Tivian and used the money from his tomb raiding for investments, leaving my father with a sizable inheritance.”
"It’s also said that my grandmother was someone my grandfather met in Northern Ufiga. My appearance and skin tone are somewhat different from most people in Pritt because of her lineage. Even my name comes from her, which is why it’s not like typical Prittish names."
After Nephthys finished speaking, Dorothy was momentarily stunned.
Then, through Brandon, she remarked, "If I remember correctly, you said you study archaeology? Your grandfather was a tomb raider, and you went to university to study archaeology?"
"Yeah, my family still has many of the artifacts my grandfather looted from Northern Ufiga. Ever since I was a child, I was deeply fascinated by them and wanted to learn more about their histories. So when I entered university, I chose archaeology. My grandfather caused many artifacts to be damaged or lost—I thought maybe I could make up for it in some way.”
"I think this necklace must be one of the mystical items my grandfather found in Northern Ufiga, which is why it was able to protect me."
Nephthys answered earnestly. Hearing her words, Dorothy couldn’t help but comment internally,
“Damn, the grandfather was a tomb raider, and the granddaughter studies archaeology—it really runs in the family, huh…”
Then, Dorothy recalled information about Ufiga.
The Ufiga continent, also known as the Southern Continent, lies south of the main continent, separated by the Stormrage Sea. Ufiga is mainly divided into north and south, with Northern Ufiga—also called the Burning Sands Continent—being an endless, vast desert. Water is scarce, and the climate is scorching, with only a few oasis regions, sustained by rivers and underground lakes, suitable for habitation.
It’s said that buried deep within the vast deserts of Northern Ufiga are numerous ancient ruins, attracting countless tomb raiders. Many scholars have theorized that a once-powerful, now-vanished empire existed there.
Nowadays, both Ufiga and the New Continent to its west have been carved up and colonized by the great powers of the main continent, including Pritt.
“So it seems this necklace was stolen by Nephthys’ grandfather from an ancient tomb in Northern Ufiga. It just so happens to have protective properties against cognitive poison, which is why Nephthys wasn’t affected. But its protective power must have been limited, or its mystical energy too weak—after resisting two books’ worth of poison, it completely shattered.”
“As for that Thorn Velvet guy, he’s clearly part of a group called the Eight-Spired Nest. They control the student-based secret society to facilitate their own movements within the school. Whatever they’re looking for seems to be the same thing I’m searching for—most likely a hidden ruin within the academy itself.”
“But weren’t the remnants of the Celestial Bibliotheca already ransacked by multiple factions? It was supposed to be completely looted. So what are these people hoping to find? Do they have a way to extract something new?”
Dorothy pondered these questions in her heart. Once she finished summarizing, she now had a fairly clear understanding of the situation at the academy and of Nephthys’ circumstances. She decided it was time to investigate this so-called Eight-Spired Nest.
"Miss Boyle, where does this Thorn Velvet guy usually appear?" Brandon asked Nephthys, and she immediately responded.
"Thorn Velvet rarely shows up in person anymore. After establishing the hierarchy among us, he usually has the higher-ranking students manage the lower ranks. The more books they read, the more they earn his trust and rise in rank.”
"That said, he still occasionally appears at our meeting locations. There are certain times when we can still see him."
Nephthys replied. After hearing her response, Brandon nodded.
"I see. Then, Miss Boyle, you should still be able to safely go to that meeting location, correct?"
"Those two subordinates of Thorn Velvet were just killed by you. My unusual behavior hasn’t been exposed yet. I’ve always pretended to be affected by the books, so for now, I can still freely attend the meetings. They still think I’m under their control."
Nephthys answered. After considering her words, Brandon spoke again.
"Hmm… perfect. From what you said, the Eight-Spired Nest seems to be after something hidden in the academy. To be honest… our organization is also looking for something hidden here. It’s very possible we’re after the same thing, meaning we’re already in direct competition.”
"So, Miss Boyle, we can help you fight against the Eight-Spired Nest and free your classmates. However, you must also cooperate with us."
Brandon spoke solemnly to Nephthys. Hearing his words, her eyes lit up, and she quickly nodded.
"Yes! Thank you so much for your help. As long as we can break free from Thorn Velvet’s control, I’ll do everything I can to assist you!"
Hearing that this mysterious organization was willing to help, Nephthys was overjoyed. She had resolved to resist Thorn Velvet and the Eight-Spired Nest, but the power disparity between them was overwhelming. They were a secret society of true Beyonders, while she was just an ordinary enthusiast of mysticism—not even a Beyonder herself. How could she possibly stand a chance?
She had once felt hopeless.
But now, things were different. Another secret society had intervened, and they were offering to help. Nephthys had already witnessed their capabilities. They had numbers, guns, and their leader—Brandon—seemed to have an ability akin to resurrection. They had taken down two of Thorn Velvet’s subordinates, one of whom was a Beyonder.
She could feel it—this organization, led by Brandon, was also formidable. With their backing, her confidence in opposing Thorn Velvet grew immensely.
She immediately asked, "Then, how can I assist you now?"
Dorothy pondered for a moment before having Brandon speak.
"Tomorrow, find an opportunity to attend the gathering as usual."