Livia began her search in the inner section of the library.
Hours passed quickly, Livia looked up at the wall and noticed that it was already passed noon. Her body ached from sitting too long in this stiff wooden chair, her shoulder and fingertips sore from turning page after page of old, brittle books.
Despite looking through many dozens of books lining on the selves of the dark magic section, she found nothing useful. The books were all about monster core, how they wield dark magic and to counter attack what needs to be done etc ….
Just she was about give up, she found a wired looking book with a unique title in the piles of many books on the table.
"The ways to destroy the forbidden magic" – she read the title aloud.
"Wait…could this be..?"
Her eyes glint with hope and anticipation. She quickly reached out to the book and opened it.
But as soon as she opened the book, her all hope came crashing down.
"It-It's blank…?!"
The book was all blank. Looking closely, it looked like someone had ripped all the pages.
"Why??"
Livia stared in disbelief, looking at the empty book in her hand. Her shoulder sank, the dull ache returning, heavier than before.
"It feels like I have wasted half a day for noting. Haaa…" With a sigh Livia stood up from her seat. Somewhere deep down, she had expected this—expected that the Empire, with all its regulations and control, wouldn't leave knowledge like this so easily accessible. The imperial family really took all necessary steps to stop the curse magic from growing.
"Well… that's a good thing but not for me, I guess! "
Still, the disappointment settled heavily in her chest. Somehow her feeling was telling her she would find noting in here.
She gathered herself up and with a nod to the receptionist she slowly began to exit the inner halls. Her footsteps echoed faintly in the vast, silent space of the outer hall. With sunlight slipping through all around the place, the outer hall looked more magnificent. She passed rows of towering bookshelves, the sunlight warm on her skin—none of which comforted her now.
With a lost look, just as she turned the last corner toward the entrance –
*Thud *
She stumbled slightly as collided hard against something -no, someone- solid.
Livia blinked, quickly straightening herself as she took a half-step back and instinctively looked up.
And then stopped.
Standing before her was a tall man dressed in black pants and white shirt with a black coat. His hair, a striking shade of silver, shimmered faintly in the warm light. It fell in loose strands just above his molten golden eyes- that now stared down at her, calm and unreadable. Like another day the corners of his lips were perpetually curved into a faint smile.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
The silence stretched—thick, expectant.
'Why is he here?'-Livia couldn't help but wonder.
'Should I just runaway? Ahhh… I don't want to face anyone related to Madline today!' -but she quickly dismissed the futile thought quickly. Running away won't solve anything.
'Oh well, whatever"
"Miss, Are you-.."
Before Ian could open his mouth Livia interrupted him. Looking up at him, closing her eyes, and giving the same artificial smile she always gave as 'Livia'.
"Ahh…Isn't it Master Ian!"
'Would it had been better if she had run away! … No, Let's stick to acting like 'Livia' for now'
She couldn't afford to act recklessly because of an uncertain future, especially when she hadn't found a solution yet.
"Greetings, Master Ian. It's a bit late but are you here to study in the library?"
"…."
"….'