Ansel sat quietly at a small corner table in The Whale Tea, a quaint café nestled in the heart of New Haven. Before him, resting a delicate cake.
It was meticulously crafted in the shape of a whale. Its glossy blue icing shimmered under the soft café lights.
The cake was almost too adorable to eat. The miniature masterpiece seemed to capture the essence of the sea's gentle giant. Ansel smiled faintly, savoring not just the sweetness of the cake but the calmness of the moment.
Across from him, a man in simple priestly robes was enjoying a similar treat. The priest's serene demeanor contrasted with the lively vibe of the café.
His name was Nollan Tiffin. He was a trusted friend of Ansel's older brother, Hansel.
Although Nollan had chosen a path of faith and service, becoming a priest. Nevertheless, their friendship with the family remained steadfast.
"You don't need to come all the way here. I can drop this off and visit your Grandpa." Nollan said. His voice was warm but tinged with concern.
Ansel shook his head gently, eyes bright with quiet determination. "No skin off my nose. Despite everything, I want to see every moment in New Haven, for every little thing, perhaps."
Nollan chuckled softly, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes. "Anyway, you grow up like Hansel. Once, you are so spoiled and sweet little brother."
Ansel's lips twitched in a reluctant smile. That was a common refrain from everyone who knew him, including his buddy, Andrew.
They saw him as the younger, softer, and weaker sibling, the one who was always being sheltered and protected. But Ansel knew that perception was about to change dramatically.
In just five days, everything took on a different vibe. He became cold-blooded like Hansel before. However, it was just temporary.
Once, he held Viorenving in his hands, he would no longer be the boy whom everyone thought and knew. No one would dare call him wimpy or fragile anymore.
He built his own character, a soft heart. But his cheerful smile was gone. Nowadays, he found himself hard to laugh as before.
Yet, a lingering question gnawed at him.
One that even his Grandpa couldn't answer. If his heart could thaw after obtaining Viorenving, why did Hansel's heart remain frozen? Even though he possessed Arioch.
The mystery of their hearts' contrasting fates. It was a puzzle that Ansel desperated to solve.
Nollan reached into his satchel and pulled out a worn. "Here, take this." He said, handing it to Ansel. The title read Demon Sigil, a detailed compendium of 72 demons and the sigils created by Solomon to bind them.
Ansel's fingers traced the embossed letters reverently. This book was more than just a collection of ancient knowledge. It was a key to survival.
He needed to learn how to seal the demon fayfiends after battle. These creatures were formidable. And sealing them was no simple task.
With a faint smile, Ansel said. "Nollan, thank you for this. I'll return this next week."
The fayfiend was incredibly strong. When compared to Ansel. Hence, he had to fight hard first and weaken it. Before he attempted to seal. Otherwise, it was like committing suicide.
The moment Ansel tried to bind it without weakening it, it would drain your life force in an instant as soon as I had enough time to utter a single word of incantation or draw a sigil.
However, it was an impossible task. The speed and ferocity of the fayfiends made the task even more daunting. Their movements were as swift as lightning, leaving little room for error.
He wondered silently if the fayfiends shared a trait with the mysterious lantern woman he had encountered.
If they too could manipulate time or perception. If that were true, fighting them would be an even greater challenge than he had imagined.
Nollan's eyes softened as he saw the weight of responsibility settling on Ansel's shoulders. "Nope, just keep it. You need it more."
"Thank You." Ansel smiled gratefully.
Rising from his seat, Nollan adjusted his robes. "After this, I will return to church. You can join in if you want."
Ansel declined, his gaze distant. There was something else, something far more important waiting for him. Though he couldn't yet name it. The path ahead was uncertain, but he was ready to face it, step by step.
As Nollan left, Ansel took a deep breath, the taste of a whale-shaped cake lingering sweetly on his tongue.
The quiet café seemed to hold its breath with him. As if the world itself awaited the moment when Ansel would finally claim his destiny.
The real reason Ansel had come to New Haven was not the casual meeting with Nollan. That encounter was merely a convenient distraction, a brief respite to divert his swirling thoughts from the heavy burden he carried.
The visions that haunted him were relentless, each one a reminder of the immense responsibility resting on his shoulders. It was a weight he could neither share nor escape.
"No, thank you." Ansel said quietly, rising from his seat and politely declining Nollan's invitation to join him at the church event. The resolve in his voice was clear. He had other matters to attend to.
Together, they walked toward the exit of The Whale Tea. Nollan glanced at him curiously, sensing there was more beneath Ansel's calm exterior. "Then are you going home straight away? Or is there someone else you want to meet besides me?"
"I want to visit the museum." Ansel's reply was simple and direct.
Nollan nodded with a knowing smile. "Well, I'll go ahead. See yeah..."
They parted ways in front of the café, each stepping into the bustling streets of New Haven, moving in opposite directions.
Ansel's pace slowed as he wandered through the crowded streets, his mind both alert and distant. The city's vibrant life buzzed around him, the chatter of passersby, the clatter of footsteps on cobblestones, the occasional honk of impatient drivers.
Yet, Ansel was detached, savoring the momentary normalcy while absentmindedly twirling a small stick between his fingers.
The stick was an ordinary toy at first glance, but it held a special charm. It could extend and retract with a satisfying click. It was inspired by the legendary Sun Wu Kong, the Monkey King of Mount Huaguo.