Chapter 58
The action was not merely about noting locations, but arranging a map of possibilities so that every movement of Aldraya and Ilux could be monitored, while also preparing himself to face any developments that might arise.
The list appeared one by one on the pages of his yellow notebook.
The old library, where dust and the scent of ancient paper blended into a calming atmosphere.
The dynamic café, where food and drinks could be enjoyed while moving along.
A collection of aged articles and sheets arranged in a super-modern style, complemented by floating items so visitors didn't need to go anywhere.
Each place had a unique character that demanded Theo's attention to observe the flow of interaction, while anticipating possible disturbances or sudden questions.
In the list, he wrote the towering observatory, a botanical garden rich with flora, a detailed tour of the old city's architecture, and concluded with a modern shopping mall as the final space of their date.
Each location was more than just a destination; it was part of a flowing scenario, allowing Theo to assess the dynamics between Aldraya and Ilux while ensuring the interaction path stayed on track, without losing control.
With the list recorded, Theo closed his yellow notebook for a moment, held his breath briefly, and returned to observing their steps from a distance, maintaining a safe distance yet ready to face any possibilities that might arise along the journey.
'The old library, first stop.'
Tak, tak, tak, tak!
'She asked him to accompany her to find books that could refresh her mind? Strange—'
Tsuuuuf!
'Aldraya, who is supposedly without emotion, but seeks refreshment through words and human thought.
That's not her usual trait.'
"The space here is larger than I expected.
The sense of calm I haven't felt in a long time finally returns.
Even the dusty books have a very soothing aroma."
"Is that so?"
"Heh, don't you feel more refreshed after reading about philosophy and betrayal just now?"
"No."
"At least I'm glad you brought me here.
It feels like a short journey that can ease the mind."
"Exactly."
'An odd contrast. One is too immersed in the story, the other seems as if just learning the meaning of being human.
Yet both remain part of the scenario I must monitor—for even Aldraya's flat expression could be the starting point of a deviation from the original plan.'
The old library stood like a monument of the past refusing to die, its walls moss-covered, the air inside filled with the scent of books long untouched by human hands.
It was there that Aldraya asked Ilux to accompany her in finding books that could refresh her thoughts, though the term "refreshing" was spoken in the same flat tone as everything else she uttered.
The aisles of towering shelves resembled a silent forest of letters, and their footsteps produced soft echoes on the marble floor, cracked in several corners.
They browsed rows of books on philosophy, faith, piety, and betrayal—weighty themes reflecting a depth of mind not easily approached.
Ilux picked a book, reading a short passage with interest, while Aldraya simply gazed at the pages without truly reading, like someone staring into a mirror, waiting for something to emerge from the reflection.
In the silence, there was a strange harmony. One side striving to understand, the other untouched, yet both bound by the quiet of the place that seemed to envelop the outside world.
Time in the library seemed to flow slower than usual.
Ilux smiled slightly at a striking passage, while Aldraya only nodded faintly, showing no expression in return.
They then closed the last book and walked toward the exit, letting their shadows stretch across the old stone floor.
As the evening light greeted them at the doorway, Ilux stretched his hands, inhaling the fresher outside air, as if releasing the burdens accumulated inside.
Theo, from a distance, noted every detail. For him, the small changes in Ilux's expression or Aldraya's flat calm were not mere coincidences, but part of a pattern forming—a pattern that could potentially alter the narrative direction in the game, or even shake his own beliefs about the boundary between reality and fiction.
'The old library is checked. Ilux looks happy, in line with the flow.
But Aldraya remains the same, unyielding, with no change from her flat expression.
Not even a faint smile has appeared, though at this stage she should have shown some human reaction at least once.'
Hooooh!
'Her gaze is straight and cold, slicing through time with indifference.
But it's alright; six places remain.
Six opportunities to finally make her feel something.'
Theo stood behind rows of aging trees at the edge of the garden, observing from afar how Aldraya and Ilux exited the old library with steps of differing rhythm.
He opened his small yellow-covered notebook, held in his left hand—the manuscript that served as both witness and control tool over the meticulously arranged scenario.
With the tip of a pencil now dull, Theo checked off "old library," marking that the first stage had proceeded as intended.
Yet beneath that check mark, he added a small note in tighter handwriting:'Aldraya still doesn't appear relaxed.'
He knew well that in the Flo Viva Mythology game scenario, Aldraya should have shown a hint of pleasure, even briefly—just a faint smile or a softened glance under the sunlight.
But in the reality now forming before his eyes, none of that existed. Aldraya's face remained as flat as glass untouched by dew.
Her gaze continued straight ahead, with no discernible direction except a line that seemed to reject the meaning of life itself.
Theo recorded every detail quickly, almost like a journalist documenting bitter truths from a world no longer submissive to its master's will.
The evening wind carried soft sounds from afar, as Theo watched Aldraya's back retreat with Ilux.
There was a slight bitterness he couldn't fully comprehend—a mixture of pride that the plan ran smoothly and disappointment that the script no longer obeyed the anticipated course.
Yet he pushed the thought away, gently closing his small notebook, and looked back toward the path they would follow next.
Six more places remained, he thought. Six chances to see if Aldraya would reveal her human side, or continue being an enigma refusing to live under the laws of the world they had scripted.
"I didn't expect the path to extend this far.
Look at that, the trees along the road even have eighteen shades of color!
Their leaves resemble a canvas painted directly by the hand of the seasonal god."
"True."
"And the buildings around here, aren't they incredible?
The walls are made of liquid glass, reflecting light like waves at the bottom of the sea.
Strange, yet calming.
This place feels like paradise for those who enjoy daydreaming."
"Destination."
"Yes, yes, I know.
The dynamic café, right?
But don't blame me if I want to enjoy the view a little longer.
It feels a shame to pass this by so quickly."
Fhhhh!
"Do you see that shop over there?
They sell glowing shells that supposedly capture the last sound of the waves before night falls.
Crazy, right?
Who would think of making such a thing?"
"Who knows."
Fuuuuussh!
"You know, sometimes I envy the way you walk.
Not hurried, yet never stopping.
As if the world adjusts its pace just to follow you."
"We've arrived."
Once again, Aldraya led the way.
Her steps were light yet measured, as if every footfall had been set by something higher than mere human will.
To be continued…