Honestly, I don't know how to feel about it.
All I read till now felt like mythology rather than anything of pure historic value. However, the book claims all events noted down were real events.
In fact, it also seemed that the gods these books mention appear in public as well. Now, I am not in any state of denial.
Watching a goddess reincarnate me was enough of a proof of their existence.
I glanced at the wall clock. It was already 1 pm.
Sighing I closed the book and stood up to keep the book back in it's shelf.
According to the book, the universe in itself was a single tree. The World Tree. Or in terms of mythology, Ygaddrasil.
The book describes that long long ago, Ygaddrasil existed all alone. Her powers and laws in the universe were absolute. However, once when the concept of day and night didn't even exist, She decided to create life out of her loneliness.
Life, a form of existence for creatures like Her. She started with small trees. To her disappointment, none lived. She tried multiple times but each and every single time, she failed.
But she gained something important from all Her failures. Knowledge on the factors required for making them come alive.
Using the boundless gases and mana in the universe, She built planets and other cosmic bodies to nurture the young saplings.
And with this, the concept of shape was introduced. For She was formless but Her creations weren't.
And thus started the Cycle of Creation.
The book however didn't describe how humans and other animals came into existence. All it said was "...Her roots spread through realms, giving life dependant on trees."
Humans and animals were indeed highly dependant on trees, thus this was the only reference related to us.
In the latter half of the book, there was a theory. Not proven but believed.
According to it, the universe revolves in three cycles.
Cycle of Creation.
Cycle of Chaos.
And, Cycle of Cremation.
Once the three cycles complete, the universe is set to reset. It was almost equivalent to the Big Bang Theory we had back back on Earth.
Tucking back the book in it's place, I sighed heavily.
Now I atleast know something. It wasn't that hard given there had been no dates and accounts of witnesses to back these claims in the book. Everything written on it was based on whatever knowledge the gods had given the people of the planet.
I approached Bassanio and inquired of him, "When was the last time a God was seen publicly?"
"53 years ago, if I remember correctly." Looking up at me, he recounted the event.
"You see, the appearance of this God was a bit...special. He was all bloodied, both from His and other's blood. He held a long staff that nearly reached His own height. And let me tell you, He himself was quite tall even by human standards."
Shaking away the wave of excitement rising in his voice, he added. "Anyway, He gave us all a message. Never to let a Goddess arrive here. Gave us a crystal ball that would hear our voices if we pray to it and inform him of the Goddess's location. We were confused you know. I mean we had so many religions based on goddesses and now we are supposed to not worship them? Followers of these Goddesses in fact remained stubborn and defended their temples but unfortunately within a decade, all of those temples were destroyed...by unknown forces."
I asked something based on my observation. "So were you a follower of one of those goddesses?"
The old man smiled at me. "Yes. I once was. Maybe I still am. Our family worshipped a deity named Goddess. Apparently She has no other name besides that." He clarified upon seeing my confused frown.
"Just...Goddess?"
"Hmm. If you wanted to refer to any other goddess, you need to say the title Goddess plus their name. See? In this way, we won't be confusing between Her and the others. Simple."
"I see."
Though I wonder which of them was Her? The one who transmigrated me in the middle of a mess I am to sort out.
As I walked back towards the shelf, I saw the red haired student seated at where I was moments ago.
Seeing me coming towards him, he stood up in greeting. Smiling, he said. "Good afternoon, Vice-Principal."
"You should know I am longer the vice principal here."
The boy smiled in return. "Isn't that only for a week, sir? This would probably be like a holiday for you."
"Holiday, indeed." I said aloud as I looked at the large stacks of books around me and my coarse palms.
The boy giggled sheepishly and said, "Consider it as a book fair then. You are exploring it..."
"And accidentally end up reading them all?" I offered.
He paused for a moment and then he nodded.
I raised my eyebrows and asked, "Yesterday you looked timid. Today you look all familiar with me."
"Ahh sorry for that. I am kind of like that with people I get acquainted with." He rubbed the back of his head. Looked like an instinctive reaction to nervousness or embarrassment.
Then as an afterthought I asked him, "What subjects are you guys basically taught here? Just wanted to know that since I am from another academy afterall."
"Isn't that the same everywhere...?" He whispered under his breath but was loud enough to reach my ears. My breath hitched a little at those words, praying internally that he wouldn't take much notice of it.
But then he answered in the same polite tone, "Our schedule mainly consists of Vitalis, Terra Verde, History, Mana Integration and combat training. Wasn't it the same at the Royal Academy?"
Vitalis? Terra Verde? I am sure I have glimpsed these names of few books. Also, there were few books on Mana Integration as well. However, it was really difficult for me to understand what was written in it.
I need to check out Vitalis and Terra Verde though.
Not wanting to show hesitation in front of this student, I quickly replied. "Hmm...looks like it was the same in my academy. I thought they might have revised the things after I passed out from the academy."
Though...
Royal Academy, huh?