She placed the stone into Si-Woo's palm, her fingers lingering for a brief moment longer than necessary. "Hold it tight, think of the title and number of books you want, and call out to it," she instructed. "It'll bring them to you."
Si-Woo took a deep breath, feeling the smooth stone's warmth against his skin. He closed his eyes and focused his thoughts. "White-blood wyvern, one book," he murmured, his voice barely a whisper. A gentle vibration traveled up his arm, and the stone began to pulse in his hand.
Suddenly, with a soft whoosh, a book appeared before him, floating gently as if carried by invisible hands. He opened his eyes and stared at the tome in awe. It was bound in leather that shimmered like dragon scales, with gold lettering that read 'Chronicles of the Skybound Beasts'.
Mai leaned over, peering at the book with curiosity. "It looks like it's going to be a good one," she said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "But remember, don't worry if you don't find what you're looking for right away. The recognition system here is quite advanced. It won't give you the same book twice unless you really need to read it again."
"Thanks," Si-Woo said, his voice genuine. "I really appreciate your help."
Mai's smile widened, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush. "You're welcome," she replied, her eyes sparkling. "But I should let you get to your reading. I'll see you at the academy."
With a wave, she disappeared into the maze of bookshelves, leaving Si-Woo alone with his newfound treasure. He watched her go, feeling a strange sense of comfort in her presence. Then, shaking his head to clear his thoughts, he turned to the book before him. The title was etched in gold, 'Chronicles of the Skybound Beasts'. The cover was adorned with an intricate drawing of a majestic creature that bore a striking resemblance to the one he had encountered.
Finding an open table near a large, arched window, Si-Woo sat down and laid the book before him. The pages were made of a material he had never seen before, thin and yet sturdy, as if they could withstand the test of time itself. He opened the book, and the scent of ancient knowledge filled his nostrils. The words were written in the language of the Fae, but as he had learned in class, the symbols and runes began to make sense to him, weaving a tapestry of knowledge in his mind.
"A book about the white-blood wyvern," began Si-Woo, "a creature so rare that it dwells only in the myths and legends of Ondurian children. It was believed that these beasts possessed a serenity so profound it could purify the air itself, and their breath was a formidable weapon, unleashing a purple, world-ending, acid-like fire. They stood next to the Ancient Mu as one of the realm's guardians, anointed by the creatures to uphold the equilibrium between the realms."
The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.
He flipped through the pages, each turn revealing more intricate illustrations of these majestic creatures. The book spoke of their power, their wisdom, and their fierce loyalty. But amidst the tales of glory, Si-Woo stumbled upon a dark chapter that sent a shiver down his spine. The Great Eclipse, a time when the suns had abandoned the sky for a month, bringing with it a cold that had never been felt before. During this period, the white-blood wyverns had lost their way, becoming feared rather than revered.
"The creatures of Ondur grew suspicious," he murmured to himself, reading the archaic script, "their purifying breath now seen as a weapon of destruction. They were hunted to near extinction, driven from the skies by the very beings they had sworn to protect." The ink seemed to dance on the page, painting a vivid picture of the horror that had unfolded centuries ago.
Si-Woo's heart raced as he turned page after page, the history of the white-blood wyverns unfolding like a tragic epic. The once revered creatures had been feared and hunted, their numbers dwindling until they were thought to be nothing but a legend. The realization that he had bonded with one of the last living specimens was almost too much to bear. It was a responsibility he hadn't asked for, but one that now rested heavily on his shoulders.
The book spoke of their fierce pride and unyielding nature. These creatures were not meant to serve, but to protect and lead. They had no masters, only partners who had earned their respect and trust. Si-Woo felt a strange kinship with the white-blood wyvern, a creature that had been misunderstood and feared just like him in this new world.
Time slipped through his fingers like sand as he read, and before he knew it, two hours had passed. His eyes, once wide with excitement, now felt heavy with knowledge. He looked up from his book, blinking rapidly as the library's grandeur swam back into focus.
"Si-Woo," Ha-Yoon called, her voice echoing through the vast hall, interrupting his thoughts. "Are you going to stay here all day?"
He looked up, startled by the sound of his sister's voice. "Oh, time really flies when you're reading," he said, rubbing his eyes. "What's up?"
"I've been going through the serein archives," Ha-Yoon said, her eyes shining with excitement. "There's so much we need to learn about our powers. But I think we've had enough for one day." She held up a pile of books she had gathered. "We should go explore the city before it gets dark."
Si-Woo nodded in agreement, placing the book back in its rightful place with a gentle pat. He took the calling crystal from his pocket and whispered, "Return book." The leather tome shot off the table and zipped through the air, returning to its spot on the shelf with a silent grace that made Si-Woo's jaw drop.
"Whoa," Ha-Yoon said "I just left it on the table."
"Incredible, I'm glad it worked" Si-Woo murmured, watching as the crystal in his hand dimmed, the job completed. "The technology here is truly outstanding." He tucked the stone away, feeling a newfound respect for the advanced society that surrounded him.