“Kuthbay, the god of stories, huh,” Aleister pondered as he appeared in Castle Kaynmur’s library. “How have I not heard of them before?”

“Not all gods need their name to be known,” Syn said. “The simple fact that stories are told by creatures of all races and creeds is enough.”

Aleister nodded as he noted that the scent of almonds and vanilla faded away. And although he didn’t know how he traveled into the Atramentous Athenaeum, he knew that the library he wandered into had something to do with it. He also wanted to stay and explore this library a bit more, but time was hard to tell in here and instead made his way back to the throne room.

Gilmore, who leaned against one of the marble pillars next to the elevated stairs, noticed his return. “I thought you didn’t find the castle interesting.”

“Maybe I judged it too harshly,” Aleister said before changing the subject. He cast his gaze upon the Vitreus Solum and noticed Myra sitting there, perfectly still, frozen in time. “How is she?”

Gilmore shrugged his shoulders.

“How long will she be in that state?”

“I wouldn’t know,” he answered.

“Then would you at least know what time it is?”

“I wouldn’t say anymore than an hour or two past midday.”

Aleister moved his head from side to side. “Then is it alright if I go back down to Crystal Lake?”

“Go ahead,” Gilmore said. “I need to stay here to monitor the condition of the girl.”

Aleister walked past the throne and took a quick glance at Myra before heading past the tapestry. Even though he wasn’t a Weaver nor carried the bloodline, he still managed to activate the lift down using a special crystal he was given. Knowing its value, he initially wanted to wear it as a necklace, but decided to wear it as an earring instead, as it was fairly small. This crystal allowed him to control and manipulate the weaker Anima Caligo around him. This enabled him to move the lift and create the stairs to enter and exit the castle. Gilmore told him there were other uses, but he wasn’t aware of them for now.

Reentering Crystal Lake was more interesting to him the second time, as his initial awe and impressions no longer clouded his observations. He bottled up some of the water in a few small bottles before taking out the jar Master gave him. The instant he twisted the lid off, a vacuuming force activated and pulled in the surrounding Anima Caligo through a fine linen mesh. Although caught off guard, he covered the jar with the backside of its lid in an instant. The now full jar didn’t feel any different in its weight.

Stolen story; please report.

He stared at the jar and couldn’t help but ask, “Hey Syn...”

“Yes?” she questioned, floating in front of him.

“You wouldn’t by any chance happen to know what would happen to me if I consumed this, right?” he asked.

“...” Without noticing, her lower lip faltered. Syn couldn’t find the words to say as she stared at him in bewilderment.

“Okay, look, I know that it’s a weird question, but it just looks, so soft, and delicious,” Aleister said as some of the saliva escaped from his lips.

Syn let out a disapproving breath of cold air. “You already intake some of it as you naturally breathe in and out, so I can’t imagine any negative side effects.”

“If I consumed the contents, would it be able to vacuum in more of the Anima Caligo?”

“No, the vacuum talisman was already activated and used once,” Syn said. “It wouldn’t be able to absorb any extra.”

“Damn, that’s a shame.”

“What in the world even gave you the idea to consume it in the first place?” she asked.

“I think after eating all the delicious food along with running, my body just tries to equate everything to food,” Aleister said.

Aleister shook his head before flipping and twisting the lid on. He walked past the edge and deeper into the cavern, or at least as much as the ground extended. From what he could, or rather, couldn’t, see into the dimly lit darkness was nothing but unending water.

“How deep is this lake?” Aleister asked.

“I’m not sure anyone knows,” Syn answered. “But, miles deep wouldn’t be the most implausible guess.”

Aleister put his hand on his chin as he shifted up and down. He observed the movements of the fish frolicking across the water's surface. “Do you think that bigger creatures and fish live down there?”

“Almost certainly,” Syn said, letting her feet touch the ground. “And, now where is this coming from?”

“I had an appropriate answer for why I felt so hungry,” Aleister mused. “But, as I stare into the lake, there’s just something inside of me that wants to know what’s down there and if there are any secrets waiting to be discovered.”

“That’s a very adventurous mindset,” Syn said.

“That sounds like a good thing.”

Syn gave him a harried look. “It could be, as long as you don’t get yourself killed.”

Aleister dusted his hands off. “I’m afraid death isn’t on my list of things to get done.”

“Glad to hear it,” Syn said, lifting the somber attitude up with a smile that Aleister couldn’t help but take a second look at.

Aleister returned his gaze to the lake. With a shake of his head, he turned around. “I guess my dive will have to be postponed until a later date.”

“Good call.”

“But now where should I head next?”

“If I remember correctly, you received forty-three pieces of gold?” Syn asked, looking for a confirmation.

“Correct,” Aleister said as he took out the coin pouch Master gave him the other day. Within it held forty-three pieces of gold, a couple of pieces of silver, and one copper coin.

“Still quite the ways away from a proper alchemist kit,” Syn said.

“I could always check the open marketplaces for a cheap alternative instead,” Aleister suggested.

Syn shrugged. “No harm in trying.”