In the afternoon, Shaden decided to visit the Great Library again. With the gold Special Favor Coupon that he held tightly with his hand, he had a small hope that he may be able to obtain the solution to his problem. Last day’s events still lingered in his mind, but he decided to cope with his short misfortune. After giving it some thought, he realized that the stranger had looked down on him simply as a peculiar child.
He held no authority or significance to anyone. No matter how much he was exalted in Skotos or was praised by his family, he was a normal boy anywhere else. Maybe he had forgotten that after being given special treatment from his family.
His family wasn’t omnipotent. Even if they had a lot of ties, they did not rule the world. His grandfather, in particular, did not enjoy or indulge in politics; they were an unknown sector in Exarria.
“Just a kid, just a kid,” he muttered to himself as he approached the Library’s entrance. Pride was useless to him. Swallow and go on.
He would never have expected how things would turn out that day. Nor predicted the spiral of events in which he would catch a glimpse of a selfish and wonderful world. Maybe even go deeper into it if that was his desire.
The scheme of the dragon would resonate into the world, whether he liked it or not.
〄 〄 〄
“What?” Shaden whispered.
There were no guards at the Library’s entrance. Even during the tour, he hadn’t seen any, and the doors had opened when the guide had approached the stone entry that swirled open like solid cyclones. Now that he had arrived, he didn’t know how to contact anyone.
He had known this beforehand. No one could simply ask for a pass into the Library. Lytha’s way of obtaining the tour tickets was still a mystery to him. But the reason why he was surprised was not because of the absence of anyone.
It was because the way into the Library slid open when he approached the entrance. At a glance, they were part of the wall’s surface. But through some magic, they had opened for him.
He uncertainly glanced at the gold plate in his hand and looked around. As always, the area was barren. But the way inside was available without anyone’s permission.
“Nice.”
Taking a deep breath, he stepped into the building he had come inside beforehand.
Walking around alone was a strange experience. There wasn’t anyone to guide him nor talk to him, and the place felt emptier than before. It was only natural since there was a multitude of groups walking around for the tour. Still, they had never encountered the other groups during their tour. It showed how vast the Library was.
So moving forward one step after another, hearing his footsteps echoing along the halls of the Library felt dreamy to him. He was all alone in this vast area of knowledge, enjoying a time of isolation, carrying the sensation of having the whole Library to himself.
Shaden continued to walk. While he liked the idea of freedom in such a substantial place, he had no clue where to begin and how to get the knowledge he wanted. He was, frankly, lost. He had to find someone before too much time passed. One could starve to death in a place as complicated as this.
Fortunate for him, Shaden spotted a robed man walking through a hall with stacks of books floating around him. He had walked thirty minutes into the building to finally spot a sign of life, and he wasn’t about to let the opportunity pass.
“Excuse me,” Shaden said as the walked towards the man. The man appeared to be unfazed by his statement and continued to walk on. Shaden couldn’t possibly lose him.
“Excuse me!” he said once again as his footsteps accelerated.
The man turned around while his books remained in the air. He was likely also a user of telekinetic magic. Shaden could feel the mana seeping out from the man, but it was different from his own forceful one. The man’s magic felt delicate.
“Do you need something from me?” said the man, revealing his long, dark hair and green eyes. His skin, slightly wrinkled, was brown. There was caution in his demeanor—almost a frown—and Shaden felt the man’s stern eyes burrowing into his head.
“I’m sorry,” Shaden immediately apologized. “I’m lost. I was going to ask you for help but…you look occupied.”
He looked at the books the dark man was carrying. The Darkness of Ragool, A Man’s Reckoning With The Spirits—
His attention broke when the books were gently lowered to the ground.
“Lost?” questioned the man. “How can you be lost?”
“How? Erm…It is my first time here.”
“Your first time here…”
The man’s eyes quickly looked over Shaden. His face showed signs on confusion, and he bent down, leaning forward to Shaden. While he didn’t show it, Shaden felt magic being weaved from behind the man’s back.
“How old are you?”
“Eight.”
“Eight! And how did you get in here?”
He sounded shocked, and Shaden would have been too if he was in the man’s position. What was a boy even doing in the Great Library?
Without further ado, Shaden took out the gold plate that was in his pocket and held it in front of the dark man. His expression turned into surprise and slowly switched to confusion afterwards, making a final transformation into mild irritation.
“Hmm…!”
The man almost said something, but his composure soon recovered. Shaden detected the man’s magic change moods, though he wasn’t sure into what exactly. He wasn’t doing anything illegal, right? He wouldn’t be arrested, right?
“Will you let me see it?” asked the man. Though Shaden was warry of the man’s magic, he nodded and placed the plate on the man’s extended palm. The man read the plate’s words then promptly gave it back to Shaden.
“Did you, perhaps, receive this item from a man with absurd locks, whose face is like a child’s, who says rude things and demands obedience from everything you do?”
“He called himself the Librarian.”
“Oh, Naera…not again. And to a child.”
The last part was probably not for Shaden to hear since the dark man turned around to say it, but Shaden’s ears caught it, nonetheless.
“Did you take anything? Misplace anything?” said the man, turning his attention to Shaden. “Tear books? Topple shelves?”
“I didn’t touch anything,” said Shaden worryingly. “I’m just lost.”
“What is your name?” said the man in a way that was more like a demand. He seemed annoying a little.
“S-Shaden,” almost squeaking from controlling his throat. He swallowed to salivate the dryness.
“Shaden, listen carefully. Your plate is very precious. Only one being can give it out, and only that being can create it. If he gave it to you, it means…”
The man frowned, realizing something.
“He didn’t hurt you, did he? The man.”
“No, not at all. Maybe a little bit mentally?”
“How? Do you need treatment? Are you ill?”
Shaden had meant it somewhat as a joke, but the man was taking it too seriously.
“No! I’m perfectly fine. It wasn’t anything lasting.”
The man breathed in a weird way which made his chin go up and his nostrils widen.
“Shaden, would you follow me?”
〄 〄 〄
“You likely won’t see him again,” said the man, looking back to see if Shaden was still following him. “He is a selfish and timeless one.”
Selfish, definitely, thought Shaden.
“But he knows how to repay his debts. If someone does him a favor, he will pay them back. With a gold plate.”
“What exactly is this plate for?”
“You entered with it, did you not? It is a pass into the Library. A pass without limits, that anyone can use.”
A library pass. But the words—
“Doesn’t it say, ‘Special Favor Coupon’?” asked Shaden, pointed towards the three markings.
“Did someone translate it for you?”
“Oh…no. I used a book,” Shaden said, realizing his mistake.
“A book? I doubt any book outside would hold information on those markings. You are also neglecting some meanings. ‘Special Favor Coupon’ is putting it lightly.”
“How so?” said Shaden, intent on steering the conversation away from his translation ability.
“The first letter stands for special. You are correct about that. It also can mean exceptional, unique. It leans forward to the individual aspect of special, wherein the word can be used to describe someone different from anyone else.”
“And the other two?”
“Favor. Favor…favor. That is putting it too lightly. The character is stern and solemn. A life-debt owed during war, something meaningful and onerous. But seeing as how that man hands this to a child like you, I can see why you have interpreted it as a ‘favor’.”
Wait.
Shaden rolled his brain. He had always thought it strange how his power had translated characters with multiple meanings. Perhaps his power provided him with the connotation of words, not the exact denotation.
The man had tossed the item to him like a toy.
“Finally, coupon. That is by far the greatest perversion of the character I have ever heard in my life!”
The man chuckled but it ended abruptly.
“The character means pass, or more strictly, a certificate. It is a sign that you did something. It is a symbol of your deeds. It is something that people look upon and say, ‘we will let this man do as he wishes because he is trustworthy and accountable.’ But coupon?”
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
The man sighed. “Whatever book you used, do not use it again. Now that you have the plate, simply ask one of us to provide you with the correct material.”
“I can do that?”
“That is the significance that the plate holds. That last time such a plate was handed out, we had quite the trouble of dealing with the consequences. Now it has reappeared, in—your hands.”
“And since I am just a boy, you are even more worried.”
“You could say that. But you are quite well behaved.”
“Thank you.”
“I dislike children, you see. They are obnoxious and noisy. They spit and chew and tear paper. They run around like chickens, uncaring of the intimidation they cause. Please don’t do that.”
“I…won’t. Never. You have my word.”
“Good. Very good. But you will be out of here soon, your arms filled with anything you desire.”
“Excuse me?”
Without answering, the hooded man motioned to Shaden to come with him inside an elevator-like shaft. When Shaden walked in, the area was sealed. He felt his stomach push downwards, his guts squeezing together. His legs were pushed on the ground, but soon, all of that was stabilized.
They were heading up.
“A coupon. In this situation, I would say that it matches the meaning of the character. There are two uses for the plate, Shaden. One is unlimited access to the Library. The other is asking a favor of the Library, though that is a one-time thing. But to a boy like you, it would suit you much better. A thousand gold coins? A house? A horse? Perhaps a cool sword made by the best blacksmith we can find? Anything you want and anything the Library can grant, you will be granted.
Think about it carefully, Shaden. If you love magic, we can get you the best teacher, and you will be able to enter the Library once you are educated and accountable. It is also very dangerous for you to carry around the plate. If someone notices, they will send scary people after you, and you may even be killed. The best course of action to take is saying what you want.”
“What if I don’t want to?”
“We cannot do anything about that. But we also cannot protect you from danger. If you will sell the item, we are the ones who will give you the most gold. If you misuse it…”
The man’s expression sent a shiver through Shaden’s spine. It made him uneasy, like he was determined to beat the hell out of someone, or even kill them.
“I understand.”
“Of course you do.”
Every single adult, Shaden realized, treated him like a child with the exception of Lytha. Being somewhat aged himself, he could feel the apathy of which the man hinted. Everyone was busy. Everyone had things to do.
“Where are we going?” Shaden asked.
“When someone appears with the plate, we hold a meeting to meet your demands and wishes. We will try very hard to convince you to relinquish the plate. Tell me, Shaden. What is it that you want?”
“I have something in mind.”
“Good! That is great to hear.”
There was a beep-like sound as the elevator stopped and the doors slid open. The man told Shaden that he was very lucky to be here; only the select few could enter. Those who were about to be rewarded and those who had committed unspeakable crimes capable of hindering magic.
“Look around as much as you like. You won’t obtain another chance,” he told him.
Shaden still didn’t know the man’s name, nor did he look willing to share it. All the moments he had spent with the man, the dark man had kept his hood over his head, partly covering the top of his face.
The two of them had arrived in a circular hall. Or rather, they were in the area that enclosed another walled room sealed behind giant doors. Or gates? Considering their size and splendor, it would not be a stretch to call it a gate. Adorned with engravings of battles between men, elves, dwarves, beastmen, and other races Shaden could not recognize, the details of the door were as if someone had placed their corpses and had applied molten stone over them.
It wasn’t only the doors. All throughout, lifelike murals danced around, their movements frozen in time as they yelled and screamed. It was a wonderful and terrible sight, as if the history of the world had been carved into the very walls. Figures of men fighting, being decapitated, drinking, dancing, contesting each other in cooking, women blasting something at a giant figure of a monstrous man, children running both in joy and terror—there were too many events occurring for Shaden to process them all.
Who could have built this? It was the greatest attention to detail he had experienced on such an open and wide surface.
The strange thing about all of this was, everything was positioned in a certain direction. The way the events unfolded on the stone surfaces had a pattern. Like a vortex pulling together everything that was deemed as human history, coming together to a single point—inside of the enclosed room.
“What’s inside?” Shaden asked the man. His voice echoed through the walls louder than he had expected, coming back to him in a distorted low boom. He felt goosebumps on his arms.
“The judging platform,” replied the man. He was unfazed. “The rewarding platform. The decision room. There are many names. Now that I think of it…there is no official name. Hm. Follow along.”
Passing through the sizable floor (at least the floor looked plain compared to the walls), they arrived at the towering door.
“Why is the door so big?”
“There is a reason for everything, and you don’t need to know it.”
That was that, and Shaden shut up for the time being.
The man lifted the stone gates with his magic. Shaden was not imagining it; the giant structure was swinging inwards from his command. The noise produced from stone rubbing against stone was echoed within Shaden’s ears, but it paused brusquely after the man had opened it wide enough for them to enter.
“Foo. I’m becoming too old for this,” the man murmured.
It was Shaden’s first time seeing someone use telekinetic magic. He gulped and looked at the gate. It was a hundred times his height and looked well over a thousand times his weight.
Could he lift it if he wanted to? The heaviest thing he had carried had been a giant boulder. He had been proud of himself for ripping trees out of the ground like weeds once. This was something much beyond that. Could he possibly do it?
“Come in.”
“Oh. Yes, I’m coming.”
He quickly caught up to the man beyond the door and felt his heart drop into the abyss.
“Woah—!” he cried unintentionally.
A dragon was glowering at him, fangs bared and wings extended. Clouds of thunder and magic swirled around the enormous creature as all the races cowered in fear at its majesty. No, he was wrong. The dragon was glowing it at someone else, someone that instilled bewilderment in the dragon’s terrifying figure. The whole world was focused on the two—the man and the dragon.
It was just a ceiling mural. But being so large and lifelike, Shaden had been shocked.
No one responded to him, so he felt a little embarrassed. Then again, no one seemed to care.
“Shaden. Go stand over there, in the circle,” ordered the man.
He did as he was told, making his way right below where the dragon and the man were. After realizing his position, he noticed that he was right in the center of a courtroom. Ten long chairs glared at him with power, their curved table looming over him like an executioner. He suddenly felt nervous.
The fact that he could see himself reflected off of the polished stone around him did not help. It made him feel vulnerable. This was a place of exposure.
When he looked up, some of the chairs were occupied. One by the dark man who had his hood off, revealing a pair of pointy ears. Another by a dazzling blonde elf with golden eyes, and the last by a young man with white hair.
They all held themselves with authority, even in front of a child. Their cool eyes inspected Shaden with clarity until one of them finally spoke.
“This boy received his favor?” said lady. She felt somewhat different. More brilliant and pure. There were no seams on her flesh.
“Yes. I assume this is everyone,” said the dark elf.
“We will begin,” stated the young man. He looked ghostly, like condensed smoke. “Shaden. A good name. What should we give you in return for the plate?”
“You have something in mind,” observed the lady.
The dark elf remained silent but motioned to Shaden to take out his plate, which he did. He held it in his hands, feeling the cool, metal surface on the tips of his fingers.
He was going to ask for information. But it felt too little of a prize.
What do I want? Information. What else? Riches. Connections. He was still a child. Didn’t he have everything he wanted already? He had been satisfied, but the wealth of the Library had sprouted greed in him.
If he was Demund, he could ask for wealth. A better house, pocket money to indulge himself in snacks and expensive restaurants. A better leg. A car, a new phone, a new computer. Scholarships that could last him a lifetime.
But Shaden had everything. All he wanted was information.
He looked at the plate again.
“I want information on how to create mana crystals.”
“That is hardly a request,” said the lady. “You can obtain what you wish with the plate. Tell us something greater. Do you not have a dream? Do you not wish to fill your mind with the wonders of magic, or have a chance of living for hundreds of years?”
Shaden shrugged as best as he could, though his shoulders almost buckled. The pressure was too much. If he wasn’t hallucinating, something was emanating from the lady, surrounding him like mist. No…it wasn’t pressure. He felt comfortable. His muscles wanted to fall and relax.
“All I need is information for a little experiment.”
The three began to whisper among themselves, but Shaden couldn’t here them. He was already imagining himself succeeding in the project, winning the prize with a giant smile on his face. How his parents would be proud of him. He would travel to the Islands and meet his best friend, telling him about his adventures, maybe even brag a little.
“You could also teach me how to fly,” he said, his mind in the clouds.
“Do you wish for tutoring?”
“No…not exactly. I just need a spellbook. Or grimoires.”
Was that what Eilae had called them?
“What will you do with these texts?”
“Learn them. That’s what I’ve always done.” He sighed. “I love magic. It’s very nice.”
“Do you have a tutor?”
“No. I don’t need one. I can learn by myself.”
Silence. The three were whispering again, maybe telepathically.
How nice, he thought, looking at the ceiling. The man…was he Saiton? What a great man. The dragon was pretty cute too. It was funny seeing some of the faces, and he almost laughed. What were they so afraid of?
“Is there anything else that you want? Anything will go, anything within our power. How about your family? You can ask for a mansion or toys.”
“I think they’re pretty good,” said Shaden while squinting. “Well, I do have a little sister. Maybe I should send her some souvenirs.”
He frowned. Did his parents want anything? He had never asked, and they had never told their youngest son. They weren’t super wealthy, but they were satisfied.
“This is no good,” groaned the young man. “He has no ambition!”
“He is pure-hearted,” said the lady.
“There must be a reason why he gave the boy his plate,” said the dark elf. “Aside from his interest in knowledge, I cannot find—”
“Ah, that!” replied Shaden with excitement. “I have a lot of mana. That’s why.”
Was it due to the lady’s magic or his desire to show off? Nevertheless, Shaden stopped containing the mana within his body and let it out freely.
“Oh…”
“Impossible.”
“………”
“Haha, pretty cool, right?” chuckled Shaden. “Even I don’t know why I have this much.”
Hmm? His mind felt groggy. Letting his mana out had made him feel it. Shaden circulated.
Little by little, his mind became clearer while the lady’s eyes grew wider. Shaden thought that something was wrong as he continued to rotate his mana faster and faster.
They did something to me. Like a truth serum. He had wanted to answer anything they had asked. He shook his head and looked at the three with clearer eyes.
“Nice! Wonderful, splendid!” exclaimed the young man. He began clapping for some reason, appearing a little too excited for his position. “I can see why Raash was interested in him!”
Before anyone could stop him, he flew off of his seat and landed in front of Shaden. A giant, toothy smile was embedded into his face, and he eyed Shaden with delight.
“A perfect spec—I mean, partner!” said the young man. He was beautifully handsome like a doll, too delicate to be touched. Shaden couldn’t breathe for a moment due to his immense pressure. When the man had landed in front of him, he had almost fallen to the ground. His white hair was almost blinding.
He turned to the others.
“Pleia, Jafplen. You have seen Raash’s weaving. Let the boy have his plate and his information.”
The two remained silent, though the dark elf (Jafplen) looked a little annoyed. Pleia did nothing else but close her eyes, smile, and nod.
“I will personally give you what you want,” said the man. “I am Pleid. Third Elder of the Saiton Consortium, a Leaf of the Dragon’s Rose. I am pleased—very pleased to make your acquaintance.”
He put out his hand with a brilliant smile.
〄 〄 〄
Ring, ring, ring. Ring, ring, ring, went the alarm.
Demund’s eyes popped out of his eyelids and stared into the darkness that was his room. He lay there quietly for a few seconds, his mind full of the information he had received. It had been so simple, yet he hadn’t thought of it. But it wouldn’t be without hardship. He would have to labor every day.
Slowly, he got up and stretched his body. The dullness of the tip of his nonexistent leg disappointed him like always. He wrapped his hand around it like he usually did, feeling the rough surface of the scar.
The musty air smelled nice. It was his room, just the way he liked it and left it. But nothing beat the fresh air of the morning right as the sun rose.
Hopping to the window using the support of the items in his way, he pushed it open and took a deep breath. His house wasn’t that high. All he saw was the streets, the few trees that swayed gently in the breeze, and the few cars parked neatly to the sides. The birds had just begun to sing.
He enjoyed the view. It was meticulously normal, utterly void of any signs of fantasy. But it made him feel at home. Call it nostalgia, but every time he returned, he knew how much he had missed the place.
If only his leg was there, it would have been perfect.
After strapping on his leg and changing into the clothes he wore the day before, he set out for a morning jog. The ground felt heavy on his less-developed physique, but his circulation was improving (or so he hoped). Slowly but surely, his body, now hot from the pumping blood, began to awake. His jog transformed into a run around the neighborhood.
In the end, he stopped while huffing, sweat running down every inch of his skin. If his other body had done the same, he’d still be ready for much more.
But if he didn’t run, he would feel worse. Unaccomplished and slow. Running always cleared his mind and prepared him for the day. What had begun as a hobby had slowly become a necessity.
Demund finished his routine with a stretch. One two, three four; he did with his body as Lytha had taught him in the other world. Reaching those unused muscles was important for controlling your body perfectly, though he knew his current one would never be able to. Not with a missing part.
His mom was awake by then, preparing breakfast as Demund walked in.
“Are those rolled sausages?”
“Yes. How was your exercise?”
“Same as usual.”
They spoke more now. His mom was greeting him more, as well as his father. It had been uncomfortable in the beginning, but he appreciated it now.
He went upstairs to take a shower. The cool water eased his mind and sharpened his thoughts. He felt alive and strong, ready to take on the day.
When he was done, he put on his clothes and grabbed his bag. But before he went downstairs to eat, there was one thing he had to try.
Demund lifted a finger. Closing his eyes, he concentrated.
Remember the sensation. Remember the flow of mana.
A thousand times he had tried, and a thousand he had failed. But not today.
Beyond the darkness of his closed eyelids, he saw a glow. He opened his eyes.
A tiny flame danced on the tip of his finger.