Si-Woo looked over, and his eyes grew wide as she pulled out the heavy pouch. "What's that?" he asked, his voice filled with curiosity.
"It's from Minho," Ha-Yoon said with a grin. "He gave it to me before we left yesterday. He said it's for us to buy something nice." She jingled the coins inside, the sound like music to their ears.
The siblings had never had much in the way of luxuries, especially since the earthquake had destroyed their home. The idea of spending money on something frivolous was almost alien to them. But as they looked at each other, they knew that this was their chance to indulge in something sweet, something that could bring a moment of happiness in the face of the heavy burden they had been handed.
They made their way to a nearby pastry shop, the scent of warm dough and sugar wafting through the air. The display case was a kaleidoscope of colors, with pastries that looked like they had been plucked from a fairy tale. Ha-Yoon's eyes widened as she took in the selection, her mind racing with the possibilities.
"I would like to buy one of everything!" she exclaimed to the person behind the counter, her voice bubbling with excitement.
The vendor looked at her in shock, eyes darting to the heavy gold coin pouch she held in her hand. Ha-Yoon's grin grew wider, taking in the array of pastries that were as varied and exotic as the people of Ondur.
But before the vendor could respond, Si-Woo stepped in, his voice firm and a hint of a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth. "No," he said, "We would like two of the Yoani cakes."
The vendor looked at the two siblings, one with unbridled excitement and the other with a calculated expression and couldn't help but chuckle. "Ah, the Yoani cakes," she said, her eyes twinkling. "A wise choice, indeed."
Si-Woo took the coin pouch from Ha-Yoon, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "This is too much power for you to handle," he teased, his voice light despite the gravity of the situation. "We need to be careful with our resources, especially if we want to keep this world's economy afloat."
Ha-Yoon pouts," The cakes better be good." The vendor, a plump woman with hair as blue as the sky of Ondur, chuckled and selected two Yoani cakes, wrapping them delicately in a shimmering leaf that seemed to muffle their heavenly aroma. She handed them over with a knowing smile. "These are on the house," she said, her voice a soft whisper. "Consider it a welcoming gift for the new incomers of our world."
The siblings thanked her profusely and stepped outside, finding a bench under the shade of a giant, swaying tree. They sat down next to the window, the warm breeze carrying the sounds of the city's vibrant life. The cakes looked like works of art, with swirls of cream and fruit that shimmered in the sunlight. Ha-Yoon took a bite, her eyes closing in delight as the flavors exploded on her tongue.
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"MMMM, these are amazing," she murmured, licking the sweetness from her lips.
Si-Woo watched his sister indulge in the delicate treat, his own mouth-watering. "Let's go visit the library after this," he suggested, eager to dive into the depths of knowledge that the grand Ondurian library was rumored to hold.
"Mmhmm," Ha-Yoon mumbled, her eyes still closed in bliss. "This is heavenly."
Si-Woo chuckled, taking another bite of his own Yoani cake. He savored the flavor, the rich cream and tart berries a delightful contrast. But his mind was already racing ahead to their next destination. "Alright, you finish up," he said, standing and brushing the crumbs from his uniform. "But don't forget, we're going to the library next."
The siblings entered the grand Ondurian library, its arched ceilings reaching towards the heavens, the smell of ancient parchment and ink permeating the air. The building was a testament to the importance of knowledge in their new world, with rows upon rows of books floating gently in midair, held in place by unseen forces. Ha-Yoon's eyes grew wide as she took in the sheer volume of knowledge that surrounded them, her earlier indulgence forgotten.
"Wow," she breathed, her voice filled with awe. "This place is... incredible."
Si-Woo nodded, his eyes scanning the vast expanse of the library. "We could spend years in here and still not read everything," he said. "But we should get started." He looked at Ha-Yoon, who was still licking the last of the sweet cream from her fingertips.
They decided to split up, each eager to explore their own interests in this treasure trove of information. Ha-Yoon floated off to the section on serein history, while Si-Woo headed towards the beastiary, his eyes searching for any sign of the elusive white-blood wyvern. As he moved through the aisles, the books seemed to convey secrets that only the most dedicated scholars knew.
" The sheer number of books is overwhelming," Si-Woo thought, "I feel like a tiny speck in the vast universe of books." He wandered aimlessly, his eyes scanning the spines for any sign of the creature that had chosen him. His thoughts were interrupted by a gentle tap on his shoulder.
Mai's warm smile greeted him as he turned around. "I'm surprised you found your way here," she said, her laughter bubbling up like a spring.
"Oh, hey Mai. Yeah, me too," Si-Woo admitted, feeling a bit sheepish. "But even here, I'm still lost."
Mai's laughter was like a melody, a sweet sound that echoed through the quiet library. "You're the same no matter where we are," she teased, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
Si-Woo felt his cheeks warm slightly. "What do you mean?" he asked, ignorant.
Mai's smile grew. "I see you're looking for something," she said, gesturing to the bookshelves that towered over them. "What type of book are you looking for?"
"I'm trying to find something about white-blood wyverns," Si-Woo replied, his voice a mix of hope and doubt. "But there are too many books here, and I'm not sure where to start."
Mai's eyes lit up. "Ah, the calling crystal," she said, reaching into her pocket. She pulled out a small, translucent stone that hummed softly in the palm of her hand. "The librarians here give these out to those who are lost in the sea of books."