Damien met up with Cal and Yuki once class was over. Cal was a deflated version of himself with bruises and bandages adorned on his body. He could only offer Cal a stoic smile and continue on their day.

They went through the motions of their day, but Damien wasn’t able to concentrate on any subject matter. Not even Magic Class piqued his interest, and Wexley let him do as he pleased. Nothing was able to register through his mind as he was stuck on the spar he had with Nora.

‘There’s a deeper meaning to the set of movements she made me do, I can feel it. I just don’t know how to comprehend it yet.’

The day went on with Damien acting like a zombie to all of those around him. He made no progress on his understanding and decided to wait for another ‘date’ with Nora. It was time for students to do as they please and Cal stopped Damien before he left to his room.

“Hey! You haven’t said a word all day, are you okay? You still up for the library like we agreed?”

Damien stopped in his tracks as he remembered their agreement. He was not in the mood to research anymore as he was too busy with his thoughts.

“Plus you have an extra 500 credits! You can find something useful for yourself like a Cultivation Manual suitable for you!”

Damien slowly looked up with an interested expression. That was something that caught his attention and was worthy enough to pry his mind away.

“Which way is the library?”

“Follow me! It’s in the middle of the academy.”

Cal shooed Yuki away and told her to do her own thing. He was still indignant of the beat down he received earlier. His actions just sentenced him to another round without his knowledge. Yuki left them alone, deciding to bide her time.

Damien followed Cal through the academy grounds to arrive in a large open plaza. In the middle was a small square building surrounded by all the 6 points of the academy. It was an unassuming appearance for something that was the heart of StarPoint.

‘Don’t tell me that’s the library. Well I shouldn’t judge it, knowing what I went through at Cal’s house.’

They entered the building following a line of students from different years. Many stopped for a moment, only to whisper something to their friends with a smirk. It was something Damien was getting used to at this point, but he chose to ignore by using his breathing technique. Cal pulled Damien in so he could whisper to his ear.

“I just wanted to give you some quick advice. I think you should holster your sword on your back. It will be less goofy looking that way!”

Damien looked around in haste as he realized they were snickering at his appearance. He quickly made the change with embarrassment and transformed his presence. He was forced to stand ramrod straight like his sword, giving the appearance of a true swordsman.

Damien quietly thanked Cal and finally entered through the entrance of the library. It was a small room that had 6 doors adjacent from one another. Each door had a different number going up to 6. In the middle of all this bustle was a man sitting quietly on a prayer mat. On closer inspection Damien noticed he was a demon. He had a light black tone in his skin color, comparable to the color gray. A single horn grew out of the side of his head, and his body was covered in scars. He wore a loose robe in the style of an ascetic monk.

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The demon’s eyes snapped open as he felt Damien’s curious gaze. This caused him to flinch harshly. His pure white eyes examined Damien, whose energy was something he had not felt before. He stood up from his prayer mat and towered over everyone in the vicinity. Instantly everyone in his presence bowed to show their respect. Even Cal was bowing his head with the utmost sincerity. Damien accompanied everyone else and then a moment later everyone continued their business.

Damien looked up to see the demon stand before him. He felt no malice nor good will, just an empty void of feelings in his being.

“Elder, I am Damien. This is my first time here. Please take care of me.”

“Hair colored of the purest of ash. ‘White ash only formed when burnt by the purest of flames.’ I am reminded of that when I saw the color of your hair. A verse from an unknown book that has been lost in time. I am Omarion Zalika, guardian of StarPoint Library. Be mindful, I see it all.”

Omarion's voice was deep and slightly slow. He was deliberate in his pronunciation as if he was affirmed of his words. He sat back down on his prayer mat and shut his eyes from the world. Cal dragged Damien away into the doorway 1. What was revealed was another room with multiple levitating stones and a set of downward spiraling stairs.

“Let’s go down the elevator slab today, I’m done with stairs for a while.”

They entered into the cylinder-like pod and began to descend into the earth.

‘Zalika… I can’t be surprised about these big names. But what was that verse about? It was so random.’

“Cal, why didn’t you tell me about Guardian Zalika? You knew he would be there!”

Cal chuckled to himself trying to hold on the rest with his hands.

“It’s much more amusing this way, since you are like a lost child.”

“Anyways, I’m going to assume he’s related to that ‘Sahiid Zalika’?”

“Yes he is, he has been the guardian of this library for over a thousand years. Every descendant of one of the founders is under their bloodline obligation to protect this library. He was chosen when it became the turn for the Zalika bloodline to honor their oath. Thing is, he only needed to serve for 100 years, but he brought it upon himself to stay.”

“Why wouldn’t he want to be free instead and explore this world?”

“Everyone has their guesses, but he has never spoken about it, not even to the current or past Headmasters. In fact he barely speaks to anyone, and when he does he always cites some ancient text that he is reminded of. Just like today!”

‘His reasons must be important if he wanted to stay. I guess everyone has their own goals and I need to focus on mine.’

Damien let the conversation of Omarion end as he could not comprehend his character. He was the completed opposite of Omarion, since he no longer wished to be stuck in the unknown. The two reached the end of their descent and stepped out into a wide space as big as their Swordsman class. Bookshelves were lined up to the edge of the ceiling, continuing down to the end of the space. Students were on lifts being raised to their specified height to search for books in higher levels, while others sat in silence burying their mind in knowledge. Damien was stunned by the sight before him. His grandfather’s bookshelf was sparsely filled, making him crave more knowledge.

“This is the library? You’re telling me there’s five other ones for each specified Point? That’s a bit ludicrous.”

“This is the accumulation of knowledge that makes StarPoint Academy the best. That is why Guardian Zalika is a venerated figure. He protects the heart of the academy and ensures its future prosperity.”

“Who would even dare try to steal anything? Aren’t we in peaceful times? I can’t see that happening.”

“Oh Damien. Let me tell you some words of wisdom. ‘Just because we are in peaceful times does not mean that is the truth in the matter. A peaceful era only means that warfare is no longer upfront. Deceit and covert tactics run deep in the shadows where natural light can not expose it. Peace is an illusion for the weak to make them feel like they have freedom. True peace and freedom can only be achieved with your own undeniable strength. Everything else is just a farce that only the simple-minded can fall into.’”

Cal stuck his chest out with absolute confidence as if he were a prolific philosopher advising his audience. For a moment Damien was at a loss of words and sunk into contemplation.

‘Just like I thought, strength is all you need to do what you want. I wonder what lies in the shadows of the world… Wait, for Cal to be able to say something so profound is odd. It doesn’t sound like him at all!’

Damien lightly grabbed Cal from his arm and gave it the lightest twist he could manage. Cal instantly caved in to the pressure and collapsed to his knees.

“You think I’m also simple-minded if you think I would believe that actually came out of your brain. Who actually told you that?”

“My father did, okay! He said that when I asked why I needed to train if there’s nothing to worry about! Now can you let me go, my arm is about to fall off!”

“Now that sounds about right. A dragon is truly wise and has seen many things.”

Their little debacle caught them the ire of the librarian who shushed them with a glaring expression. She pointed to the sign next to her listing the rules of “StarPoint Library.” The very first one explicitly states, “No Loud Commotion.” Damien and Cal awkwardly bowed in apology and approached the librarian, seeking obscure answers.