At the library, I was searching for books that might hold clues regarding the Historical Tales. While looking, I found a strange book.
I took it, observing its thin metallic cover. I read the title, "Mysteries," Then commented, "How odd."
I opened the book and started reading its contents. I read and read, feeling hypnotized by the book's contents. They were too fascinating!
I then remembered to take down notes, so I sat down and started writing as much as I could. This moment felt like it had only lasted for a few minutes but the clock hanging on the wall said otherwise.
"Three hours and fifty-six minutes… Reading this book sure was fun." I smiled, putting back my notes and pen in my small brown bag.
I suddenly felt a finger tapping my right shoulder and turned back–a little scared. But it turns out that it was just the librarian.
I heaved a sigh of relief.
"We'll be closing soon." She reminded me with a slight smile.
"Oh… yeah, I almost forgot about that. My bad." I laughed awkwardly.
"Oh right! Can I borrow this book?" I held the book in my hands, showing it to her.
"This book? Hmm… sure. Let's go to the counter."
I followed her to the neat wooden counter. She took my ID and handed me back the book with a gentle smile.
"Thank you!" I said.
…
Another two months passed in the blink of an eye.
I was at the post office, waiting on a nearby bench. When it was finally my turn, I stood up and went to the counter.
"Here is your letter." The woman at the counter handed me a smooth brown letter with a red stamp on it.
"Thank you," I said before taking the letter and leaving the post office.
I found a nearby bench and began opening the letter.
"Dear Elmer, I hope you are doing well with your studies. Michael and I were waiting to send you good news. Not long after we parted ways, the bookstore gained a sudden boost in popularity, making Michael and me busier, which is why it took so long for you to get this letter. Oh right! A book publishing company, named Company, gave us an offer to sell their books. Michael and I wanted to take the offer but we wish to hear your opinions on it."
I smiled after reading the letter. The letter didn't end there, it continued on for quite some time, but it was mostly some small news. I thought about the offer from the Company, then got reminded of something. Company? Isn't that the same name as the Company that Miss All was looking for before?
I thought that it'd be a good idea, considering that if it really is Miss All's Company, then she would be acting upon her offer.
My smile widened, happy to see that everything was going well.
I stood back up, walking back to the Academy.
The streets were bustling as usual, businesses were thriving and sadness was dying.
It didn't take long before the gates of the Academy appeared within my sight. I entered and soon found the dorm.
I opened the door, entered it, and headed to my room.
Inside, I started writing my reply.
"Dear Charlotte and Michael, I am happy to have received your letter. Just like you two, I also have good news. When I arrived at Dawn Heart, I was nervous especially when I took the exam but I managed to pass. Things only started becoming better after that. I made a friend with a fellow Nameless named Cael. And as for my studies, they are doing well. As for the offer that you two have been given, I believe you should take it, I see no disadvantages in it."
I continued writing until I felt satisfied with my letter. I sealed the letter and made sure to put a red stamp.
I left my room, finding a mailbox near the gate. I dropped my letter in it and waited for my reply.
…
During one of my free times, I was walking around the Academy's halls and saw Zixin being chased by a group of students.
It looked quite comedic which only confused me. I asked a nearby student with concern, "What exactly is Zixin doing?"
The student gave me a strange look before replying, "He's avoiding human interactions."
I was about to ask why but I suddenly remembered the recent news.
The news stated that Zixin's Mother had passed away due to the attack of a Torment of Darkness, a blob-like creature born within one of the Land's hidden areas. It was said that this attack was orchestrated by a man named Cassius of Instigation–the former Head of the Instigation Bloodline–a Major Bloodline.
I felt pity for Zixin, after all, he had just lost his Mother but deep inside, I felt relieved. I didn't understand why I would feel relieved when someone had just lost their Mother but I did and it made me question myself.
"Are you fine?" I heard an ever-so-familiar voice from behind.
When I turned to look, I saw Cael, standing there with puzzlement on him.
I told Cael what I felt and then he scratched his cheeks, and replied, "You might be holding a grudge against him."
"He never did anything wrong to me…" I paused, suddenly remembering what I had felt when I first saw him. I never felt it after that but… I still felt… justified…
I then told Cael about it and he replied, "The Theory of Survival states that one's very existence may give hints on upcoming danger."
I stared at Cael, dismissing the theory entirely because Cael sounded crazy just now.
Cael laughed it off, and said with a smile, "Come on! I was just joking. It's a theory made by an anonymous person so it holds very little weight."
I sighed, realizing that Cael was trying to lighten the mood in his own way.
"Thank you."
…
I was studying the silver book in my room then realized something: It never gave credit to the author.
I found this to be very suspicious so I headed back to the library with the book in hand to learn more about it.
I found the librarian at the counter and asked her, "Um… can I get the information regarding who donated this book?"
"Hmm? Sure. Give me a moment."
After a few minutes, she started reading what she found, "Hmm… it was donated by a middle-aged man named Alastor, a Nameless. The date isn't recorded which is odd but that could have just been neglected by the previous librarian."
"Oh… thank you again," I said with slight disappointment.
I headed back to my room and once there, I sat on my bed.
Were the records stated in this book even accurate?
Cael knocked on my door before opening it and entering.
"You… seem out of it today? Did something happen?"
I told him everything.
I muttered while asking myself, "Do I want to get promoted?"
"Yes!"
"Then you don't need to be fully factual. You need to make your report appealing."
"That would essentially be a lie," I replied.
"If you can make others believe a lie, can't you also use truths?"
I was confused so Cael explained, "Bloodlines mainly exist to understand a certain Truth, a reason behind a certain topic if you will. To them, being able to use a lie like it's true and being able to uncover truths behind lies are skills that a single person should possess to gain their attention."
I asked in confirmation, "So, I should learn to use lies effectively and use lies to uncover truths?"
"Exactly."
…
I sat in a room filled with other students. Some were my seniors, some were my batchmates, and some were my juniors. We were all here because this is the club we either wish to join, or the club they already joined. For me, I'm the latter.
An older student with dark blue hair stepped in front. He spoke while his pink eyes shone, "It's my pleasure to meet everyone here today. My name is Fu Liu, Fu Liu of Essence. Even though my Bloodline mainly manages resources, I have taken interest in this story we all call History and decided to become the club leader of–History's Fanatics."