"There's no Lightning creature..." she sighed. She needed to find another way to get Lightning Bone Marrow at this point. The closest lightning element creature was Lesterforge Gorge, a three-day trip.

"Hm?" The man in front of the counter looked at her in confusion.

"Sorry, it's nothing," She took the book and went on with the process. At this point, she had gotten quite handsy.

Soon, there were two jade stones on the counter.

Forty-two jades, the total money she had made in the first shift.

She had tried to get the guard uncle to take some action on the matter, but he waved it away, saying that's just how this place worked, and she should not bother with it.

Aeryth took the hint and didn't try anything stupid. This place was huge, and the number of people that came amounted to more than hundreds. Many of them sat here and read, while others borrowed them. All three of the long tables were filled to the brim. A few were sitting on the floor. By lunchtime, people supposedly had tipped her forty-two jades.

Aeryth still didn't know what to do with them. If she left them here, there was a chance that the next person who came for work would take them. And she needed money.

She leaned over the counter, sighing. What should I do with money?

A massive man entered the library, looked at the counter, and sighed in relief as he made his way toward her on unsteady feet.

"Just in the nick of time, a minute late, and the closed sign might've greeted me," He smiled charmingly.

Aeryth raised her brow. "There's still a good five minutes left before the lunch break. What can I do for you?"

Though the not-so-hidden book in his hand gave her the idea.

"I believe I am to return this," he slapped the book on the counter.

Mundane and Monster Vol 2

She closed her eyes as the sound reverberated. Her brows knitted at the apparent rudeness of his behavior.

But she took the book. "You should have a packet with a stamp too."

"Should be in the gutters by now." He shrugged.

Aeryth nodded. Rules didn't say anything if people threw it away. But she decided to submit a report in the evening anyway.

"Can I get your membership card?"

He checked his pocket and groaned. "Fuck," he said, inappropriately loud his voice was for the library. "I forgot it."

"That is fine," Aeryth conceded. No need to make a scene out of it. Already, all the eyes were on her. "Your name and... register color?"

"Ricker Tresmine," He said. "I don't remember the register."

Aeryth considered for a moment. There were five registers, and each one had at least twenty to thirty registrations per day It would be a lot of work. "You can return the book in the evening. Please come back in the evening with a member's card." She slid the book back. "I cannot help you if you're half drunk and delirious."

He didn't look like the age of her father. In his early twenties at best. Why was someone so young was drinking in the middle of the day?

She had tried to not make a face at the smell of liquor coming off the man.

"Now, dear, I am sure you can find my name somewhere. I will be busy in the evening. Please." he clasped his hand over his head, bowing slightly. Even that came off as pompous and rude somehow.

"I am sorry, but there's nothing-"

"BITCH!" Ricker shouted, slamming his massive fist on the table. Aeryth took a step back, recoiled by the outburst. "Just because I am patient with you, does not mean you can keep insulting me." He flung the book at her. She moved to the side dodging it. The book crashed into the blank frame and crashed on the ground. "Find my name, and write it off, you bitch of a bitch!"

Her vein pulsed, hot and painful. Her lips quivered. She took a step forward. "DON'T YOU SCREAM AT ME, DRUNK MONKEY!" She screamed equally high-pitched. The corner of her shaky vision dyed red as she reached out and grabbed the man by his collar and wrenched him down.

He stared at her wide in shock. "No screaming in the library. Get out! Don't come back until you're sober and found your library card." She shoved him, and he stumbled backward.

Right, I am stronger.

He finally snapped out of his shock.

Her anger vanished as snappily as it had flared. Calm down... It's fine. Her hands were shaky, the rage still slithered under her skin, looking for an opening to lash out at any moment. She let out a deep breath. Whispering to calm her nerves.

"You-" His presence flares, as if he had grown twice his size. He stomped toward the counter. Aeryth stepped back. Great. I started a brawl on my first day.

"Time out," Sera patted his shoulder, shoving him into the ground again. "Get out, before I call the knights," She smiled sweetly.

The man lunged at her. Sera sidestepped and kicked his toe. He fell over. Scrambled to get back to his feet. The guardman was here now.

"That bitch started it!" He screamed as the guardman dragged him out.

"I didn't-" Aeryth began.

Sera waved off her worry. "Whoa... even this place has its action moments," she leaned on the counter, almost slept on it, "That was so cool, I got to witness your anger from the front seat. I thought you'd back out."

"That should've been the better choice," Aeryth surveyed the library.

"Sorry for the inconvenience," she said to people staring at her.

"It's fine, feels nice to see that rat fucker get a taste of his own medicine," a boy said, earning an elbow from his partner, shushing him to keep quiet.

Aeryth let out a sigh. It was over without any incident. "I just got angry. He thought he could bully me to cover up his mistake. I will file a complaint to get him kicked out of the library. Weed out the troublemakers is the first step toward a peaceful and healthy locality. Though, in hindsight, screaming back was not the smartest decision. If I had not shocked him with my pitch. It might've turned into a brawl."

"Oh, don't worry. I was ready to snap his back if he tried anything. but kicking him out of the library, isn't that harsh?"

"Kindness to the undeserving is as grave a sin as worshipping the devil, or so people say," Aeryth shrugged, "In all seriousness, he was drunk and probably ready to strike me, had he gotten the chance."

"That's true," Sera shook her with a dramatic sigh, "I thought we were over the point of people trying to bully little ones."

"Little? Me? I will have you know I am more than capable of handling a village on my own." Aeryth stopped. The village that exists no more.

'Don't think about it.'

"I am not small, says every little one ever." mocking, Sera slid over the counter and dropped on the chair. She smelled of fire and sweat. "Are you done?"

Aeryth nodded. "I think so..."

She placed the cardboard that read lunch break over the counter. They would open at two.

Aeryth sighed, her eyes flicked down at the money not in the money drawer, but in the small space between the counter and the drawer. From where Sera sat, it shouldn't be that hard for her to see.

"When did you get here?" Aeryth asked.

"What do you mean? I waved at you like two or three times, but you were busy doing something over the counter, lost in your world."

"Ah, sorry," Aeryth lowered her head. "I was just trying to remember the rules of the library."

"Right, right..." Sera said, not at all trusting Aeryth. Her eyes flicked down, smile grew wider. "To get more money under the counter? You made quite the change, get me an ice scream."

"You're fine with it," Aeryth stared at her in disbelief.

"I mean, that's how people always do things here. You can not beat the ingrained habits out of people, but the membership fee makes up for the most part library rent, and there are other benefits to this place. Children get to study for free, for one thing."

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"There's no new join or renew today... I expect there is some other way people get membership without paying the fee."

"Nah, membership renews at the first of the month for everyone, so no one joins after the second week."

Aeryth sighed. "I tried talking to the guard uncle. He said I don't want trouble with locals, so I should not try to do anything stupid."

"That's fine, I am not blaming you. It's part of the fun. And I get free ice creams."

"Right..." Aeryth muttered. She didn't like the idea of eating bribe money. But Sera was an important figure here, or so she seemed. If she didn't mind, it should be alright, right? There

were many holes in the idea, but agreeing with Sera right now was the only right option.

----------------------------------------

"How far is the smithy?" Aeryth asked.

They had been walking for fifteen minutes now, and going farther and farther away from the library, and by extension, away from the living quarters. She didn't trust Sera, of course. City folks sold people for money, her mother used to say. That's why she should keep her distance.

But Sera's association with the House of Hearth, which Light trusted, and Sera's general behavior made it seem like she had no ill intention. Still, this was as far as she was willing to follow.

"Oh, we are almost there," Sera pointed at the building at the end of the lanes. "That's the place."

The ice cream stick melted, and white milky liquid slid off of the back of her hand and then dropped on the dark, oily pavement. It fizzled out, smelling like half-digested food.

Aeryth followed behind Sera.

The chimes of hammers striking the iron echoed two buildings away from the smith. She could smell the iron and flames from here, and the rising heat.

Sera hurried. Begrudgingly, Aeryth also had to walk faster behind her. She was not exhausted. Not after her enhanced physical strength, but her mind was spent from the day's tension.

The smithy was made of wood. Aeryth's lips twitched. Was wood not risky for a place that had so much fire in it?

"Uncle Tor, I brought you another customer!" Sera chimed, opening the front door. Gesturing Aeryth to follow with the other.

Aeryth peeked in.

Tor was an old dwarf, she had never met one before in her life. Even though poems made them always seem like small. He was massive, but the mass compared to height made him look stout. His whitening beard glistened in the flames of the forge, covered in sweat. Though, massive, his muscles had come loose from old age. Sagging.

Exhausted, he slammed the hammer. He paused noticing Sera.

"Another loan, I'm sure," His eyes flicked at Aeryth's face.

Aeryth had an urge to hide, but she steeled herself and stood at the door. His eyes stopped at her wrist.

"Ah," a realization dawned in his eyes. His brows slanted, the expression grew somber. Standing up, he took a dirty, drenched towel and wiped his face. Circling the various machinery used for smithing, he made his way to the counter. His gait was slow and limp.

A leg injury?

She wondered. He had a lot of healed scars on his body. He put on a shirt, "Come on in. No need to be shy." He said to Aeryth.

Aeryth walked in unsurely. This undivided attention didn't feel great.

"You know her?" Sera asked, confusion obvious in her voice.

Aeryth shook her head when Sera looked at her.

"No, I've just heard of her. That bracelet is forged by me."

This magical bracelet? It's not something that blacksmiths in our village could dream of creating. And this dingy, barren shop in the city can?

This place didn't look like it belonged to someone who could create magical artifacts.

"Oh, thank you..." Aeryth lowered her head slightly. "Light gave it to me."

"I remember. She came here with a letter from Lady Sia once I refused to sell her that thing. That's not something I sell usually. Take good care of it."

"Oh," Sera made a sound. She looked at the bracelet and then at Tor. "Wait a minute. Light? You know her?"

"I do." Aeryth nodded but didn't elaborate even as Sera waited.

"So, that's how you're making yourself completely invisible to my senses, and here I was thinking you were not blessed," Sera bobbed her head a few times, coming to terms with the knowledge. "

"It will keep her off any detections spell in this place. An effort to make. But I owed Lady Sia a favor and couldn't refuse it," He waved his hand, "That's all in the past. Make sure to not lose it. I can sense the masked aura, and it is not a presence you want people to feel. Ever."

Aeryth tried not to frown at the ominous words. Light had eluded to something like that.

"If you don't mind me asking, what can you sense?"

"That's hard to describe. Life essence's presence is supposed to be sweet and warm, but yours feels bitter, harsh, and smoldering hot. Simply put, you've too much life energy, more than what people would feel comfortable in the presence of. Life energy is a very sought-after source of power, that's how all the spirits died in this world. You'll bring about a nightmare on yourself if you let others know of your power."

"I see." Aeryth looked at Sera. What was that about spirits?

"My mouth shall be sealed till the day I am in my grave. Please, don't put this young and gentle me in a grave," Sera seemed proud of her unfunny joke.

It might've been a mistake to ask him that... or he believes Sera will keep it a secret.

Aeryth stared at her. She seemed like the person who would blurt out at the drop of a hat.

"Hey... I will keep it a secret, stop glaring at me with those scary eyes." Sera waved her hand in defense.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you," Aeryth looked down. "Please keep it a secret."

"You betcha!" Sera gave her a thumbs up.

"So, what brings you here?" He asked. "Since you're with her, I can guess."

"Bringing a new customer to keep your shop alive," Sera grinned.

"You always bring a new debtor, and when they fail to pay back, you pay in their stead." Tor shook his head. "Bah! Stupid girl. Anyways, since you're hear. Look around, as long as it's not something made expensive or unusual, I will lend it to ya."

"Thank you," Aeryth said.

"Come this way," And Sera grabbed her hand and dragged her along.

Tor kept looking at her, with solemn eyes. He knew of the tragedy.

The storeroom was not as big as she had expected, but it had at least a few hundred well-forged weapons.

There was another door in the store room, but it was blocked by a table.

"That is the waste room, where he keeps the defective pieces."

Aeryth nodded. She looked around the room for a long sword, trying to keep her instincts under control. It didn't matter how hard she tried, somehow some way, every steel, every shiny object, or sharp thing reminded her of that night. It already had been a month at this point, she should've been over it by now.

I can only make an effort. With time, I will stop thinking about it, about that night. She said to herself.

"What kind of weapon are you looking for?"

"A long sword," Aeryth said.

"A long sword, huh?" Sera looked around. "That's rare, you know. Girls generally go for a lighter sword." She gestured toward the sword on the wall.

Since those were not of Aeryth's interest, she didn't bother inspecting them.

On one side, she found hammers, which were named crackers.

"Crackers?" She read that aloud.

"Yeah, they crack bones as long as swung appropriately," Sera answered her question. "So Crackers."

After looking around further, she noticed the book hanging on the wall opposite the door, like the main display.

"A spell breaker codex?" Aeryth mused. It was a foot wide and long square tome, half a foot thick.

Aeryth felt the leather-bound cover under her hand. Though invisible to the eyes, there were hundreds of small etchings on it.

"He says it's not for sale. It is probably the most expensive thing he has," Sera said, trying to open the book, though it was not bound by anything, Sera couldn't open it. "And most guarded too. Heck even both of us cannot open it unless he permits us to."

"He has a lot of things in this place."

It made as much sense as anything in this place. Which was none. These weapons were too good to be lying around. No one was here to buy them. Each one of them was better forged than anything Aeryth had seen or used in her life. Only traveling mages or warriors of great renown had better weapons.

"Why is this place so empty?" Aeryth asked, unable to contain her curiosity.

"His weapons never break, so most people who buy them don't come back for a long time."

That should've made this popular, brimming with customers, not the opposite.

Aeryth didn't say anything. Sera most likely didn't want to answer her question.

In this section, there were many swords. Identical, except for the hilts. They came in various sizes and designs.

"These are Katana," Sera picked up a single-edge curved blade. "Quite famous around here for some reason."

"I see." Aeryth glanced at it and returned to the long sword with a slim hilt that she should be able to comfortably hold. She preferred long with slim blades.

Even if that weapon was good, she didn't have time to waste understanding a new weapon. In the end, she wanted to be a mage, and the sword would just be for the emergency scenario.

"I am familiar with long swords. So, I don't want to try a new one," She clarified to Sera. She touched the cold steel, it reminded her of the sword that cut her in half. The phantom wound burned in cold hollowness.

Suddenly, she didn't like the idea of using a long sword. But she picked it up. Her phantom fears would never prevail.

She looked at the price tag below it.

Seven Hundred Forty Jades.

She had forty in half a day. The other half might get her thirty. In ten days, she could pay Tor back without needing to go hunting.

I cannot wait another ten days to awaken, let alone wait to buy a sword.

"I'll take this. Are you going to buy something?" Aeryth asked.

"What about Armor, arm guard, shoe or something," Sera asked.

"I would rather keep my debts to a minimum," She swung the long sword a few times. It was easier than before. I will need to get used to twice the strength.

"Fine, but if you take hunting-type jobs or something dangerous, please buy the gears. Tor will lend you. Even I can lend you money if need be."

"I have experience, don't worry about me," Aeryth replied mechanically. Sera seemed absurdly concerned for someone she had just met. Did Light put her to keep watch over me? That's something Light could do. But she didn't seem to know I knew Light...

Aeryth shook off her thoughts. It didn't matter. She doubted she would be seeing her anytime soon.

They returned to the front counter. And Tor lent without batting an eye. He also gave her a sheath and oil to keep it from rusting.

"Thank you for your generosity, Mr. Tor," Aeryth said.

"It's nothing. You're not planning on going out of the wall for hunting, right?"

Aeryth shook her head. "I just want to practice to keep up with what I've learned."

"Hmm," He nodded. He seemed lost in his thoughts during the entire process.

Sera again took charge and led her outside.

Aeryth hesitated. "I forgot something." She said at the door and returned to the counter.

Still, the white design behind one of the shelves lingered in her mind.

It could be some kind of curse placed by someone. Since Tor owned the library, he should know something. He had leaned deeper into his creaky chair and closed his eyes.

"Um, I am working in the Library," that got Tor's attention.

"On the third floor, there was a white something, as if made of marble, the white golden emblem on it. I was wondering if you're aware of it."

"Right, that. Right," He smoothed his beard. "The library belonged to a mage friend of mine. She left a treasure before leaving. If you find it, It's yours keep it. That's all she said. Feel free to look for it in your free time. She must've left it there for an aspiring mage to find it."

Find it? In the library?

"I see. Thank you for everything, Mr. Tor. I'll repay your debt soon."

"Tor is fine. I am too shambled for the honorific, and there's no hurry. This place is not running away, whenever you have the money, feel free to pay it back. Don't rush to get the money. That's the quickest way I lose a customer."

Aeryth nodded."I will be careful. Thank you."

She returned to the Sera side.

"I overheard that. I didn't mean to, I promise."

"It's not a secret. The third floor in the library is a public place, after all."

"Yeah, but there's no white tiles. I've been to the library hundreds of thousands of times and never seen something like that before."

"I saw it just this morning."

Sera smiled. Aeryth could already guess that she wanted to see it. "Show me."

Aeryth sighed. I will not be getting away from her anytime soon.